Guidance and resources

The College is committed to setting the highest standards for anaesthesia services and patient care.

Published guidance

Welcome to the Royal College of Anaesthetists

Anaesthesia is the largest single hospital specialty in the NHS. We are the professional body responsible for the specialty throughout the UK.

We're here to support your needs. Find out more about:

Find out more about what we do

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Training and careers
We're responsible for setting recruitment, training and assessment standards. This is how we're able to attract and then support the best doctors from medical schools.
Final FRCA Examinations

Examinations
The Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FRCA) examination tests the knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes required by anaesthetists in training.
Simulation training in anaesthesia

Research
The College supports the funding, development and delivery of high quality healthcare research.

Ways you can support our work

Membership

Membership
We are the third largest medical royal college in the UK by membership. With over 26,000 fellows and members, we represent the three specialties of anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine.
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Resources
We keep our fellows and members up-to-date with the latest news from the College and specialty via the Bulletin and regular newsletters as well as providing free access to key academic journals.
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Get involved
We thrive because of our strong and active membership. As we're keen to involve you in our work to help shape future strategy, we've created numerous volunteering roles for fellows and members within the College.

Latest news

Dr Sarah Thornton elected Vice-President
The RCoA is pleased to announce that Dr Sarah Thornton has been elected as a Vice-President of the College. Dr Thornton joins Dr Chris Carey, who has been re-elected for a second one-year term, as one of the College’s two Vice-Presidents.

Pride Month 2025
During Pride Month we want to amplify the voices of our LGBTQ+ members and highlight relevant resources.

Hospitals failing to screen older people for frailty
Nearly three-quarters (71%) of UK hospitals are not routinely screening older surgical patients aged 60 and older for frailty—despite clear evidence that frailty significantly increases the risk of complications, including longer hospital stays, delirium, and even death.  

Upcoming events

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Anaesthetic updates
11 June 2025 | 09:00-17:00
Keep up to date with the latest developments in anaesthetic practice by attending this 3-day hybrid conference.
RCoA Lets Talk member engagement event logo

Let's Talk
9 July 2025 7.00 - 8.00pm
A free live event for members where you can talk to senior members of the College about anything and everything that affects your membership. 
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Anaesthesia 2026
12 May 2026
Our Anaesthesia 2026 flagship conference will take place in Brighton and online in May 2026 for three days.

Membership provides a variety of benefits to both you as an individual member, but also to the specialty of anaesthesia.

Become a member