Our response to the 10 Year Health Plan for England

We have published our initial response to the government's 10 Year Health Plan, recognising it as an important statement of intent for the future of healthcare in England. 

Read our response

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

Initial response to the Leng Review

Council will carefully consider both the review’s findings and the government’s response. We will publish a full response once Council has discussed the recommendations at its meeting on 10 September and any decisions have been approved by our Board of Trustees.

Modified release opioids and acute pain
Following our previous position statement around modified release (MR) opioids and the treatment of post-operative pain, we wish to make clear our position on modified release opioids and acute pain.

Professor Denny Levett appointed as Director of CPOC
The Royal College of Anaesthetists is pleased to announce that Professor Denny Levett has been appointed as the Centre for Perioperative Care’s (CPOC) new Director.

Upcoming events

Winter Symposium

Winter Symposium 2025
20 November 2025 | 09:00 - 16:30
Attend our two-day annual winter symposium to connect with experts in anaesthesia and enjoy a lively mix of lectures, debates and awards. Join us in London or online.
Anaesthesia 2026

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