The Anaesthetic Workforce 

A new RCoA report warns that more than eight million operations per year will be cancelled or delayed by 2040 unless anaesthetic workforce shortages are addressed.  

The Anaesthetic Workforce: UK State of the Nation report is the latest part of our Anaesthesia – Fit for the Future campaign and demonstrates to UK Government how many anaesthetists are needed and what is required to support and retain them. 

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Welcome to RCoA

Anaesthesia is the largest single hospital specialty in the NHS. The Royal College of Anaesthetists is the professional body responsible for the specialty throughout the UK.

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Working with our members, we ensure the quality of patient care through the maintenance of standards in anaesthesia, critical care and pain medicine.

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Latest news

Response to BMA report on doctors' pandemic experiences
The British Medical Association has published the first two in a series of five reports detailing doctors’ views and experiences of the pandemic. The reports contain first-hand accounts of the physical and psychological strain experiences by doctors, both during the height of the pandemic and in the months afterwards.

26 June 2022 deadline for BJA Education in printed form
As we previously announced BJA Education moves online from July 2022. The BJA itself moved to a digital format in January 2022 – BJA Education will follow suit but will also retain a printed version for RCoA members until July 2023.

Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment
The Royal College of Anaesthetists has produced two presentations on how to prepare for the MSRA and the Anaesthetics CT1 & ACCS (Anaesthetics) Interview. The College strongly advises anyone preparing for these to take a look.

Recruitment and Exams guidance

Training during the COVID-19 pandemic
As a Royal College and professional body, the RCoA has a number of national responsibilities, with the aim of ensuring we provide the highest quality of care to patients.

Exams & COVID-19
In accordance with national guidelines on COVID-19 the College has updated its guidance for candidates sitting our examinations.