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The lead obstetric anaesthetist should ensure that there are continuing quality improvement projects to maintain and improve the care in their units.²⁸

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.

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

A Royal College of Anaesthetists/Difficult Airway Society airway lead should be appointed in all hospitals providing anaesthetic services.⁷

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

Service developments outside the operating theatre (e.g. interventional cardiology) often place unintended demands on anaesthetists. The business plans for such services should include provision for anaesthetic services.

Robust procedures should be in place to report and investigate adverse incidents involving equipment, staff or patients. The published outcomes of these investigations should be disseminated to all relevant anaesthetists and others.

Anaesthetic assistants whether nurse or operating department practitioners, should be trained in the preparation of this specialist equipment to be able to support the anaesthetist in the delivery of lung isolation and one lung ventilation.

Robust procedures should be in place to report and investigate adverse incidents involving equipment, staff or patients. The published outcomes of these investigations should be disseminated to all relevant anaesthetists and others.

There should be specific consultant or autonomously practising anaesthetist programmed activity time for burn anaesthesia in hospitals where burn surgery is undertaken.⁴