Launching in early 2026, NAP8 will focus on complications of regional anaesthesia, peripheral nerve or spinal cord injuries.
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Jono Brüün, our CEO reflects on the challenges and changes he's faced in the four years since joining the College and celebrates all our achievements.
New Year is always a time of reflection, particularly as for me it is also the anniversary of my joining as CEO at the College. That is now four years ago, and I find myself looking back on the challenges the College has faced over that time, the changes that have been made and the achievements of our volunteers, elected leaders and staff team.
It has been a remarkable four years. Within a couple of months of my appointment COVID-19 hit. The challenges for our membership were enormous. The specialty was at the frontline, and anaesthetists and intensivists had to learn and adapt at pace to provide the best possible care for the patients who were most seriously ill under very challenging circumstances. The College too had to urgently adapt.
Exams, which had always been held in person, were rapidly moved to virtual platforms. It was a steep learning curve for so many of us and it didn’t all go as smoothly as we wanted, due in large part to the pressures put on so many by the pandemic. Nevertheless, I was proud of the College, its examiners and the exams team, who, along with candidates, contributed fully to the subsequent independent review of our assessment process. The review was published earlier this year. Lessons were learnt and changes have been made that have seen us continue to welcome almost 5,000 candidates per year to the College for their exams.
Jono Brüün, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal College of Anaesthetists looks at the benefits of research and why it will always be at the centre of our activities, creating significant impact for patients and the public.
Jono Brüün, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal College of Anaesthetists looks at the benefits of research and why it will always be at the centre of our activities, creating significant impact for patients and the public.
This article gives an overview of the developments in equivalence and portfolio in the changing and evolving GMC pathway.
Authors:
- Dr Ros Bacon, Chair, RCoA Equivalence Committee
- Dr Ashwini Keshkamat, Deputy Chair, RCoA Equivalence Committee
- Dr Derek McLaughlin, Deputy Chair, RCoA Equivalence Committee
- Mr Russell Ampofo, RCoA Director of Education, Training and Examinations
- Ms Claudia Moran, RCoA Head of Training
The College is responsible for ensuring that anaesthetists meet the standards for Specialist Registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) and that UK and international medical professionals who seek independent practice in the UK have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience (KSE).
The increasing number of Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) applications and the GMC’s implementation of new regulatory pathways have presented challenges for the Equivalence Committee. The Equivalence Committee is committed, on behalf of the College and members, to maintaining standards. This article explores the proactive steps being taken by the College to support the Equivalence Committee and enhance the process of assessing CESR applications.
SAS doctors have been educational supervisors for many years and find it a rewarding role. Dr Kirstin May and Dr Robert Fleming discuss the importance of SAS doctors in education.
The GMC has recognised that the quality of clinical care and the safety of patients are crucially dependent on the quality of training provided within the health service, not only in relation to skills and knowledge but also in relation to professionalism. The GMC has recognised for many years that trainers must be trained, accredited, supported and quality-assured.
Specialty and Specialist (SASs) and locally employed doctors (LEDs) are the fastest growing part of our workforce, with numbers increased by 40% over the last five years. Projecting forward, they are expected to be the workforce’s largest group on the GMC register by 2030 (GMC workforce report 2022). Not only will the NHS depend heavily on this part of the workforce to provide services to patients, but also to train future generations of doctors and other healthcare professionals.
The 2021 SAS contracts set a clear expectation that specialty doctors should get involved in non-clinical activities to develop their range of expertise as well as ensure their progress through the higher pay threshold. Varied and relevant non-clinical experience and activity is an essential requirement for appointment as a specialist. Our appraisal and revalidation system sets an expectation of all doctors, regardless of grade, to be active in quality improvement, and encourages teaching, leadership, management, research and innovation.
Dr Alison Pittard, OBE: "The end of my tenure brings an opportunity to reflect on the last three years. COVID-19 has dominated and it is easy to focus on the negatives, but, as an eternal optimist, I see many positives. I had three objectives when I became dean, the first of which was to promote our specialty."
COVID-19 has dominated and it is easy to focus on the negatives, but, as an eternal optimist, I see many positives. I had three objectives when I became dean, the first of which was to promote our specialty.
I think everyone now knows what we do and, as a result, we have increased training numbers, expanded capacity, and embedded enhanced care. My second objective was to develop international partnerships. Despite travel being restricted, embracing digital platforms afforded us the opportunity to work with the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand and the Apollo group in India.
Dr Dale Gardiner gives us an overview of the responsibilities and work of the FICM Professional Affairs & Safety Committee.
FICM’s Professional Affairs and Safety Committee (FICMPAS) is one of the three large committees of the FICM board. The major focuses of work are, as our name suggests, professional affairs and safety. We have seen important developments in both areas.
In safety there is a new look Safety Bulletin, developed by Dr Peter Hersey. Short; one paragraph, case-reports of safety incidents are shared with commentary and hyperlinks to additional information. The safety incidents come from the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS), though Dr Hersey is working to be able to draw from a wider source of incidents.
Beano superfan, Edward Shepherd, (aged 11) tells us all about his online survey: ‘Helping children prepare for surgery and anaesthesia’.
I am a huge fan of the Beano and sent feedback to the Royal College of Anaesthetists about a special collaborative edition I had read, Dennis has an anaesthetic. My Granny was in hospital at the time, and I was worried about her. She had broken her ankle. I read the Beano comic to help me understand and feel better about her being unwell and having an operation.
Children’s anxiety related to hospital admissions and procedures is a huge problem and affects up to 80% of children. 75% experience anxiety in the anaesthetic room, and 60% develop ‘new’ dysfunctional behaviour in the three weeks after surgery. Sadly, 12% still display this new behaviour one year after surgery. In the US, surveys show that 25% of children are held down for a general anaesthetic.
Dennis has an anaesthetic teaches children about:
- finding out about the operation
- getting ready for the operation
- having the anaesthetic and operation
- waking up and going home.
Dr Sarah Muldoon looks at the conflict many consultants experience in their careers; giving patients the best care and providing meaningful training opportunities.
Read the latest letters submitted by members in Winter's Bulletin. If you'd like to submit a letter to the editor, please email bulletin@rcoa.ac.uk.
Read the latest letters submitted by members in Winter's Bulletin. If you'd like to submit a letter to the editor, please email us.