Patient information leaflets and video resources

Patient Information Forum (PIF)

The patient information produced by the College is certified by the PIF Trusted Information Creator Kitemark accreditation scheme run by the Patient Information Forum (PIF) for measuring the quality of health information.

More information is available here.

The following is a series of leaflets that provide information about anaesthesia and what you might expect when having an anaesthetic. Each leaflet has detailed information on the most common types of procedures and operations, and the anaesthetic options.

The leaflets are developed by the RCoA Patient Information Group in collaboration with the Association of Anaesthetists, other specialist anaesthesia societies, and patient representatives and patient advocates. 

Translations are available for some of these leaflets.

More information here

These leaflets are about anaesthesia and rare medical conditions

ME/CFS and Anaesthesia
This resource aims to provide people with ME or CFS who need to have an anaesthetic or sedation, with information about what they might expect at the different stages of the surgical journey, and what they can do to prepare.

Suxamethonium Apnoea
Suxamethonium apnoea occurs when the body’s plasma cholinesterase enzyme isn’t functioning properly. Normally, this enzyme works quickly, allowing muscles to recover and patients to breathe on their own shortly after the drug has been given.

Malignant Hyperthermia
Malignant hyperthermia, also called malignant hyperpyrexia, is a rare condition that runs in some families. In people who are affected, some anaesthetic drugs and gases can cause a rapid and dangerous rise in body temperature.

Video resources

On the Faculty of Intensive Care (FICM) website you can find information, including videos, on the patient journey before, during and after admission to an intensive care unit. 

The two videos below are produced by Health and Care Innovations, a partnership with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

View more of their videos in the national Health and Care Video Library.

The following video is specifically for patients having nerve blocks and is produced by Regional Anaesthesia UK, the specialist society for regional anaesthesia.