Bulletin Magazine: Summer 2026

This year’s research issue is now out, once again featuring an excellent mix of articles and contributions from members across our specialty. We hope it offers a welcome moment of respite from the summer heat.

Read here

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.
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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
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

ACSA reaccreditation for Bradford Teaching Hospitals

Bradford Teaching Hospitals have been reaccredited under the prestigious Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA) scheme, demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to patient safety and excellence of care.

The Guardian highlights shortage of anaesthetists

The Guardian has published an exclusive article on the RCoA’s recent State of the Nation report and its key findings, emphasising the pressures facing anaesthetic services.

Standards of care across the NHS and independent sector
The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) believes that all patients, irrespective of whether they receive care in NHS or independent sector facilities, are entitled to the same high standards of anaesthetic and perioperative care.

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

Become a member