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Anaesthetists and anaesthesia assistants working without direct supervision in obstetric theatres and on the delivery suite should be familiar with the environment and working practices of that unit and work there on a regular basis to maintain that familiarity.

Recommendations for standards of monitoring during anaesthesia and recovery are stipulated by the Association of Anaesthetists and should be adhered to for all patients undergoing ECT.²²

Women requiring critical care in a non-obstetric facility should be reviewed daily by a maternity team that includes an obstetric anaesthetist.¹¹

The supervising anaesthetist should not be responsible for more than two anaesthetised patients simultaneously, where one involves supervision of an AA.¹¹⁸

Dedicated, skilled assistance for the anaesthetist should be available in every situation where anaesthesia or sedation is employed.^4,5

Each department of anaesthesia should have a lead anaesthetist for patients with cognitive impairment with sufficient time identified for the role in their job plan.²⁴⁸

Departments should have processes in place to recognise and manage substance use disorder in an anaesthetist, providing support to the doctor involved.⁵⁸

Options for anaesthesia and all aspects of perioperative care, including risks and benefits, should be discussed with the patient by the responsible anaesthetist.³⁵ 

The IPS should consider facilitating anaesthetists in training to participate in inpatient pain audits and research as part of their training.⁵⁷