Shortage of anaesthetic training places raised in Parliament

The Policy and Public Affairs team at the Royal College of Anaesthetists have been working with Dr Simon Opher MP to highlight the shortfall in medical speciality training places.

In a discussion in the House of Commons this week on the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill), he raised the issue of bottlenecks in anaesthetic training with Minister of State for Secondary Care, Karin Smyth. He made clear that tackling these was key to bringing down waiting lists across the NHS.  

You can watch the House of Commons discussion at parliamentlive.tv.  

Dr Claire Shannon, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists also recently responded to this legislation and welcomed that action was being taken to address these challenges. Dr Shannon also reiterated our commitment to supporting our international colleagues and members who work across the UK bringing valuable expertise and insight to the NHS.

Earlier this week, the RCoA also spoke in an evidence session in Parliament at the Healthcare Workforce Development Inquiry, which is being led by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Health and the Higher Education Commission - supported by the think tank, Policy Connect.