COVID-19 RESPONSE: New online hub for anaesthetists and intensivists

Working in collaboration, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, The Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, the Intensive Care Society and the Association of Anaesthetists are urgently reviewing and revising clinical guidance to provide the UK intensive care and anaesthetic community with up-to-date clinical information, guidance and resources needed to better understand and manage COVID-19.

Visit the COVID-19 guidance hub here

As the Medical Royal College representing the largest single hospital specialty, we are responsible for providing our fellows and members with up-to-date information on how we are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.

See how we are responding to COVID-19

Latest news

Letter from RCoA President published in the Guardian
As a response to Richard Horton's opinion editorial, Professor Ravi Mahajan highlights the importance of medical leadership and collaboration between the Government and healthcare leaders in a letter to the Guardian.

RCoA welcomes a COVID-19 public inquiry
The College response to calls for an inquiry into the handling of the pandemic.

RCoA releases results of second COVID-19 member survey
The results of the second 'View from the COVID-19 frontline' survey show low confidence in returning to non-COVID-19 NHS services and remaining concerns in the area of PPE, testing, drug supply and staff wellbeing.

FAQs for patients having an operation during COVID-19
CPOC has published new FAQs for patients having an operation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PIF kitemark for RCoA patient information resources
The College is the first Medical Royal College to be awarded the PIF TICK. The accreditation ensures continued high quality for all College patient information resources.

New guidance for resuming planned surgery
The College has developed a joint strategy document to facilitate the safe resumption of planned surgery in the wake of COVID-19.

Discover more about the work of the College

About the College

About the College
The College is the professional body responsible for the specialty of anaesthesia throughout the UK
Your Membership

Your membership
The Royal College of Anaesthetists is the third largest Medical Royal College by UK membership. With a combined membership of 23,000 fellows and members, we represent the three specialties of anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine.
Our Strategic Plan (listing)

Strategy and vision
We are committed to improving patients’ safety, well-being and outcomes through the maintenance and advancement of standards in anaesthesia, critical care and pain medicine.

Information for patients and carers

Patient with mask

About anaesthesia and perioperative care
The word anaesthesia means ‘loss of sensation’. It can involve a simple local anaesthetic injection or using powerful drugs which cause unconsciousness.
Patient leaflet with doctor and patient

Patient information resources
Read all our detailed anaesthesia information leaflets and resources specifically for patients and their carers which have been written by the Royal College of Anaesthetists.
Preparing for surgery: Fitter Better Sooner

Preparing for surgery – Fitter Better Sooner
Having surgery? Our Fitter Better Sooner toolkit will help you prepare for surgery and share all the important steps you can take to improve your health and speed up your recovery.

Thank you for visiting our new website.
We've worked hard to provide you with a new platform through which you can explore and learn more about the work of the College and the specialty of anaesthesia.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this new website