Authors and contributors
All RCoA patient information is written by invited authors. Unless specified, these are consultant anaesthetists with a special area of expertise working in hospitals throughout the UK. The leaflets are reviewed by members of the Patient Information Group which includes members of PatientsVoices@RCoA
The RCoA Clinical Quality and Research Board then reviews and approves the final resource.
Several resources are jointly written and approved by both RCoA and Association of Anaesthetists. Other specialist societies have also partnered as recorded below.
Main series
You and your anaesthetic
Clinical review 6th Edition 2023
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Dr Emma Wain, Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Clinical review 5th Edition 2020
Dr Tim Meek Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, Middlesbrough
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original lead author 1st Edition 2003
Dr Alastair Lack, Council RCoA, Salisbury
Your spinal anaesthetic, in association with Regional Anaesthesia UK (RA-UK)
Clinical review 6th Edition 2023
Dr Athmaja Thottungal, RA-UK
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Dr Emma Wain, Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Clinical review 5th edition 2020
Dr Amit Pawa, RA-UK, London
Dr Tim Meek Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, Middlesbrough
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original lead author 1st Edition 2003
Dr Barrie Fischer, Worcester
Anaesthesia Explained
Clinical review 2nd Edition 2021
Dr Tim Meek Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, Middlesbrough
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original lead author 1st Edition 2015
Dr Lucy White, RCoA advisor for Patient Information, Southampton
Epidural anaesthesia during and after surgery
Clinical review 6th Edition 2023
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Dr Emma Wain, Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Clinical review 5th Edition 2020
Professor Tim Cook, Bath
Dr Sean Tighe, Chester
Dr Tim Meek Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, Middlesbrough
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original lead author 1st Edition 2003
Dr Sean Tighe, Chester
Local anaesthesia for your eye operation, in association with the British Ophthalmic Anaesthesia Association (BOAS)
Clinical review 6th Edition 2023
Dr Adrian Kwa, BOAS
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Dr Emma Wain, Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Clinical review 5th Edition 2020
Dr Jo Budd, Honorary secretary of BOAS, Hereford
Dr K-L Kong chairman of BOAS, Birmingham
Dr Tim Meek Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, Middlesbrough
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original lead author 1st Edition 2003
Dr Chandra Kumar, Middlesbrough
Your anaesthetic for major surgery with planned high dependency care afterwards
Clinical review 3rd Edition 2023
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Dr Emma Wain, Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Clinical review 2nd Edition 2020
Dr Mike Ward Jones, Portsmouth
Dr Tim Meek Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, Middlesbrough
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original lead author 1st Edition 2014
Dr Mike Ward-Jones Specialist Registrar Southampton
Dr Laura Tomsett Specialist Registrar Southampton
Dr Lucy White, Southampton
Peripheral Nerve Blocks, in association with Regional Anaesthesia UK (RA-UK)
Clinical review 3rd edition 2023
Dr Athmaja Thottungal, RA-UK
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Dr Emma Wain, Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Clinical review 2nd edition 2020
Dr Amit Pawa, RA-UK, London
Dr Tim Meek Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, Middlesbrough
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original lead author 1st Edition 2015
Dr Harry Akerman, Southampton
Your anaesthetic for heart surgery, in association with Association for Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia & Critical Care (ACTACC)
Clinical review 3rd Edition 2023
Dr Joe Arrowsmith, ACTACC
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Clinical review 2nd Edition 2022
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Dr Niall O'Keeffe, ACTACC
Authors 1st Edition 2018
Dr Matthew Bernard, Honorary Secretary ACTACC, London
Your airway and breathing during anaesthesia, in association with Difficult Airway Society (DAS)
Clinical review 2nd Edition 2023
Dr Tom Lawson, DAS
Kate Rivett, DAS
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Authors 1st Edition 2020
Dr Rebecca Reeves, Specialist Registrar Portsmouth
Dr Barry Mcguire, President DAS, Dundee
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Anaesthesia and your weight, in association with The Society for Obesity and Bariatric Anaesthesia (SOBA)
Clinical review 2nd Edition 2023
Dr Eleanor Walker, SOBA
Dr Andrew McKechnie, SOBA
Angela Chesworth, SOBA
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Authors 1st Edition 2020
Dr John Cousins, Chairman SOBA, London
Dr Claire Nightingale, Vice Chairman SOBA, Aylesbury
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information , Southampton
Your anaesthetic for vascular surgery, in association with Vascular Anaesthesia Society of Great Britain and Ireland (VASGBI)
Clinical review 2nd Edition 2023
Dr Manik Chandra, VASGBI
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Authors 1st Edition 2020
Dr Judith Gudgeon, Committee member VASGBI, Guildford
Dr Adam Pichel Chairman VASGBI, Manchester
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Sedation Explained
Clinical review 2nd Edition 2021
Dr Mary Newton, London
Dr Anna-Maria Rollin, Epsom
Dr Marie Nixon, RCoA Clinical Quality Advisor, London
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Sedation Explained
Authors 1st Edition 2018
Dr Mary Newton, London
Dr Anna-Maria Rollin, Epsom
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Caring for someone who has had a general anaesthetic or sedation
Clinical review 2nd Edition 2021
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Caring for someone who has had a general anaesthetic or sedation
Author 1st Edition 2018
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Having an operation with anaesthesia: An easy read booklet
Review 2nd Edition 2022
Reviewed in partnership with Change.org, a learning disability charity
Authors 1st Edition 2018
Ms Elena Fabbrani RCoA Patient Information Manager
Ms Mandie Kelly RCoA publications officer
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Fitter Better Sooner
Fitter Better Sooner Toolkit of animation and information leaflets
Lead authors 2018
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA Patient Information Lead, Southampton
Dr Anne-Marie Bougeard, RCoA Perioperative Medicine Fellow
Dr Ellie Walker, NIAA Health Services Research Centre (HSRC) Research Fellow 2014–2017
With contributions from
Dr David Paynton, Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Clinical Lead for Commissioning
Mr Nick Markham, Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS Eng) Council Member Professor Ramani Moonesinghe, Director, NIAA Health Services Research Centre
Ms Elena Fabbrani, RCoA Patient Information Manager
Dr Hilary Swales, Lead for Fitter Better Sooner review
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Dr Scarlett McNally, Deputy Director, Centre of Perioperative Care
Dr Andrew Spooner, Assistant to the Hon Sec Royal College of General Practitioners
Mr Ahmed Ahmed, Council Member, Royal College of Surgeons of England
Dr Ramani Moonsinghe, National Clinical Director for Critical and Perioperative Care, NHSE England/NHS Improvement
Dr Anne-Marie Bougeard, Consultant Anaesthetist, University Hospitals Dorset
Dr Steve Evans, Centre for Perioperative Care Fellow
Neetu Bansal, Lead Enhanced recovery surgical Pharmacist, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust
Claire Frank, Lead Pre-operative Assessment Pharmacist, Wrexham Maelor Hospital
Elena Fabbrani, RCoA Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Dr Paul Slater BM BS; FRCA; Adv Dip Clin Hyp and stress management, Consultant Anaesthetist Northampton General Hospital
Jean Rogerson RGN, Adv Dip Clinical Hypnosis and Stress Management, Associate Lecturer Birmingham City University
Dr J A Boissière, Trustee BSCAH, Council Member, Hypnosis & Psychosomatic Medicine Section, Royal Society of Medicine
Elena Fabbrani, RCoA Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Risk Leaflets
Risk Infographic
Original author 2019
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Feeling sick
Clinical review 5th Edition 2017
Dr Ian Selby, Preston
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Author 1st Edition 2006
Dr Ian Selby, Preston
Sore throat
Clinical review 5th Edition 2017
Dr Elizabeth Read, Specialist Registrar, Southampton
Dr Lucy White, Southampton
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Authors 1st Edition 2006
Dr Elizabeth Read, Specialist Registrar, Southampton
Dr Lucy White, Southampton
Shivering
Clinical review 5th Edition 2017
Dr Elizabeth Read, Specialist Registrar, Southampton
Dr Lucy White, Southampton
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Authors 1st Edition 2006
Dr Elizabeth Read, Specialist Registrar, Southampton
Dr Lucy White, Southampton
Damage to teeth, lips and tongue
Clinical review 5th Edition 2017
Dr Karen Darragh, Edinburgh
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Authors 1st Edition 2006
Dr Karen Darragh, Edinburgh
Dr Tom Cripps, Melrose
Damage to the eye during general anaesthesia
Clinical review 5th Edition 2017
Dr Lucy White, Southampton
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Author 1st Edition 2006
Dr Lucy White, Southampton
Postoperative chest infection
Clinical review 5th Edition 2017
Dr C Shevlin, Belfast
Dr M Duffy, Belfast
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Author 1st Edition 2006
Dr C Shevlin, Belfast
Dr M Duffy, Belfast
Becoming confused after an operation
Clinical review 5th Edition 2017
Dr Mario Cibelli, Birmingham
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Author 1st Edition 2006
Dr Mario Cibelli, Birmingham
Accidental awareness during general anaesthesia
Clinical review 5th Edition 2017
Professor Tim Cook, Clinical Lead for the NAP5 Project, Bath
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Author 1st Edition 2006
Professor Tim Cook, Clinical Lead for the NAP5 Project, Bath
Serious allergy during an anaesthetic (anaphylaxis)
Clinical review 5th Edition 2018
Professor Nigel Harper, Manchester
Professor Tim Cook, Bath
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Author 1st Edition 2006
Dr Josie Brown, Leeds
Dr Ann Christys, Leeds
Headache after a spinal or epidural injection
Clinical review 2015
Professor Mike Wee, Poole
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Author 1st Edition 2003
Professor Mike Wee, Poole
Advisors
Dr David Bogod, Nottingham
Dr Andrew Hartle, London
Nerve damage associated with an operation under general anaesthetic
Clinical review 2016
Dr Sean Tighe, Chester
Dr Ravinda Sandu, Chester
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Author 1st Edition 2006
Dr Sean Tighe, Chester
Dr Ravinda Sandu, Chester
Nerve damage associated with a spinal or epidural injection
Clinical review 2016
Dr Stephen Wiggans, Blackpool
Dr Justin Turner, Manchester
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Author 1st Edition 2006
Dr Stephen Wiggans, Blackpool
Dr Justin Turner, Manchester
Nerve damage associated with peripheral nerve block
Clinical review 2016
Dr Rachel Hopper, Manchester
Dr Justin Turner, Manchester
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Author 1st Edition 2006
Dr Rachel Hopper, Manchester
Dr Justin Turner, Manchester
Equipment failure
Clinical review 2016
Dr Anthony Chisakuta, Belfast
Dr Peter Crean, Belfast
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Author 1st Edition 2006
Dr Anthony Chisakuta, Belfast
Dr Peter Crean, Belfast
Death or brain damage
Clinical review 2016
Dr Stuart White, Brighton
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Author 1st Edition 2006
Dr Stuart White, Brighton
Factsheets
Lymphoedema
Clinical review 2nd Edition 2021
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Author 1st Edition 2018
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
ME/CFS and anaesthesia
Authors 1st edition, February 2024
Dr Anton Krige, Clinical Lead
Dr Charles Shepherd, Clinical Advisor ME Association
Dr Sheila Black, Faculty of Pain Medicine
Dr Sam Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Dr Marie Nixon, former RCoA Clinical Quality Advisor
Ms Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Ms Carly Melbourne, Associate Director of Clinical Quality and Research
Malignant Hyperthermia
Clinical review 2nd Edition 2021
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Author 1st Edition 2018
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Myotonic Dystrophy
Clinical review 2nd Edition 2021
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Author 1st Edition 2018
Dr Rahul Mudannayake Specialist Registrar, Cambridge
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Suxamethonium Apnoea
Clinical review 2nd Edition 2021
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Author 1st Edition 2018
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Resources for children, young people and carers
The Anaesthesia Information for Children Project took more than 5 years in development led by Dr Josie Brown and Dr Judith Short. This involved extensive consultation and validation work. The team of play specialists helped with the consultations with hundreds of children prior to the initial design of the resources.
Your child’s general anaesthetic, in association with the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APAGBI)
Clinical review 7th Edition 2023
Dr Karen Bartholomew, APAGBI
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Dr Emma Wain, Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Clinical review 6th Edition 2020
Dr Karen Bartholomew, Huddersfield
Dr Hannah Lonsdale, Sheffield
Dr Russell Perkins, Manchester
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Dr Tim Meek Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, Middlesbrough
Original authors 1st Edition 2003
Dr Josie Brown, Leeds
Dr Judith Short, Sheffield
Dr Juliet Wolfe-Barry, Leeds
Amanda Lillywhite Illustrator
Rees Bear has an anaesthetic, in association with the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APAGBI)
Clinical review 4th Edition 2023
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead
Elena Fabbrani, Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Clinical review 3rd Edition 2020
Dr Karen Bartholomew, Huddersfield
Dr Hannah Lonsdale, Sheffield
Dr Russell Perkins, Manchester
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Authors 1st Edition 2010
Dr Josie Brown, Leeds
Dr Judith Short, Sheffield
Dr Juliet Wolfe-Barry, Leeds
Amanda Lillywhite Illustrator
Dennis has an anaesthetic, in collaboration with the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APAGBI).
1st edition November 2022
Dr Samantha Black, RCoA Patient Information Lead and Paediatric Anaesthetic Lead, Medway NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Karen Bartholomew, Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist
Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS FT, Patient Information Lead, Association of Paediatric Anaesthetist of Great Britain and Ireland
Dr Amy Norrington, Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist and Lead for Paediatric Anaesthesia and Paediatric Pre assessment
South Tees NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Rahul Bandopadhyay, Anaesthetic Registrar, South East London rotation
Ms Elena Fabbrani, RCoA Patient and Public Involvement Manager
Ms Carly Melbourne, RCoA Associate Director of Clinical Quality and Research
General anaesthesia: a brief guide for young people, in association with the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APAGBI).
Clinical review 3rd Edition 2021
Dr Karen Bartholomew, Huddersfield
Dr Hannah Lonsdale, Sheffield
Dr Russell Perkins, Manchester
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Original Authors 1st Edition 2010
Dr Josie Brown, Leeds
Dr Judith Short, Sheffield
Dr Juliet Wolfe-Barry, Leeds
Amanda Lillywhite Illustrator
Quizzing an anaesthetist (video) in association with the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APAGBI).
Original Authors 2021
Dr Karen Bartholomew, Huddersfield
Dr Hannah Lonsdale, Sheffield
Dr Russell Perkins, Manchester
Dr Jignesh Patel, London
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
Anaesthesia - what do I need to know (video) in association with the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APAGBI).
Original Authors 2021
Dr Karen Bartholomew, Huddersfield
Dr Hannah Lonsdale, Sheffield
Dr Russell Perkins, Manchester
Dr Jignesh Patel, London
Dr Hilary Swales, RCoA lead for Patient Information, Southampton
