Authors:

• Dr Phoebe Hill, ST4 Anaesthetics, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester
• Dr Jack Dalziel, SCF Anaesthetics, Preston Hospital, Lancashire
• Dr Stephanie Harrison, ST7 Anaesthetics, Salford Royal Hospital, Manchester

Founded in 2021 (at the height of COVID) and now in its third year, ‘Fest North-West’ was born out of the need for togetherness and team spirit. We’ve all become far too familiar with a common theme of anaesthetists in training struggling with stress and low morale and feeling underappreciated.

Unfortunately, trainee wellbeing is affected by both individual and external factors – social isolation as well as wider cultural issues of feeling underappreciated contribute negatively to trainee wellbeing. Long waiting lists, pay disputes and social media negativity haven’t helped wellbeing for any of us.