An appropriately trained consultant or autonomously practising anaesthetist should be available at all times, through a formal thoracic or cardiothoracic anaesthetic on-call rota, particularly if lung transplantation is performed.
Thoracic anaesthetists working in non-transplant centres should be familiar with the principles of the anaesthetic management of patients who have previously undergone lung transplantation.26
Perioperative time should be allocated for the work the anaesthetist undertakes on the day of procedure for both pre and postoperative care. The time required for pre and postoperative care will vary and should be accounted for in individual job plans.
Up to date, clear and complete information about operating lists should be available to the admissions area, theatre and recovery area. Operating lists should be made available to the anaesthetist before the list starts.
Departments should promote working conditions known to provide job satisfaction, including varied work, input into individual anaesthetist’s job plans and opportunities for colleagues to contribute their ideas and skills to the department.
Anaesthetists should be given support and time to familiarise themselves with non-theatre locations and different environments prior to solo sessions and out of hours work. This may include undertaking operating lists with a colleague.
Hospitals should use the training opportunities available in ophthalmic anaesthesia to facilitate anaesthetists in training's acquisition of the learning outcomes of the RCoA 2021 Curriculum.39
High quality anaesthesia is pivotal to achieving successful outcomes following day surgery. The majority of anaesthesia for day surgery should be delivered by consultant anaesthetists.15,16 staff grade, associate specialist and specialty doctors (SAS) grade doctors and experienced trainee anaesthetists may also provide anaesthesia for day surgery. However, these doctors should be suitably experienced and skilled in...
