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From crisis to capacity: the evolving story of UK anaesthesia research

Author: Professor Joyce Yeung, Director, RCoA Centre for Research & Improvement; NIHR National Specialty Lead for Anaesthesia, Perioperative Medicine, and Pain Management; Professor of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, University of Warwick

Anaesthesia and perioperative research in the UK have undergone notable transformation over the past two decades. Once described as facing a ‘severe crisis’ due to diminishing academic output and an increasingly stretched workforce, the specialty has since seen encouraging signs of revival.

Nationally coordinated initiatives and structural changes have helped rebuild a foundation for academic activity. Still, progress hasn’t been without its challenges, and many barriers remain.

From decline to rebuilding