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All anaesthetists must be aware of the potential benefits and risks of regional anaesthesia and be able to discuss these options with patients where appropriate as part of an individual patient anaesthetic management plan.⁴⁶

Critically ill patients are complex and hold unique particularities that makes them more susceptible to side effects and complications of regional anaesthesia techniques. Experienced regional anaesthetists should perform/supervise regional anaesthesia techniques in these patients.

As a basic minimum for any obstetric unit, a consultant or other autonomously practising anaesthetist should be allocated to ensure senior cover for the full daytime working week; that is, ensuring that Monday to Friday morning and afternoon sessions (see Glossary), are staffed.²² This cover is to provide urgent and emergency care, not to undertake elective work.

Ultrasound imaging equipment should be available to anaesthetists trained in its use for central vascular access and transversus abdominis plane blocks. Where staff have the relevant competencies, ultrasound may also be useful for other tasks^.54,55,56,57

Anaesthetists should be aware of legislation and good-practice guidance relevant to children and according to the location in the UK.^{55,56,57,58,59} These documents refer to the rights of the child, child protection processes, and consent.

Pregnant women should have access to information about the differing modes of delivery during the antenatal period and should be offered the opportunity to speak to an anaesthetist if they wish to discuss how this might affect their choices around analgesia and anaesthesia.^{142,156,157,158}

Information should be made available to patients that gives details of the surgery and local and general anaesthesia for ophthalmic procedures, as well as advice on what to expect on the day of admission. The Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists have a range of booklets available on their websites to help to inform patients.^55,56,57

For patients undergoing diagnostic procedures such as MRI, although separate written consent for anaesthesia is not mandatory in the UK, all discussions about sedation and anaesthesia should be documented. Discussion should include methods of induction, associated risks, side effects and potential benefits of the procedure. It is not the responsibility of the anaesthetist to explain the indications for the procedure.^55,56

Preoperative assessment, optimisation, manipulation of patients’ normal drugs and shared decision making in patients with diabetes requires a cross-specialty approach based on national guidance involving anaesthetists, surgeons, diabetes physicians, diabetes inpatient specialist nurses and pharmacists. The development of such teams requires time and resources. This should be recognised and provided.^267,268

An appropriate level of staffing and suitable facilities should be available to deliver a good quality preoperative service. Non-anaesthetist health professionals, such as, specialist nurses, pharmacy staff, allied health professionals and Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) add considerable value to the service.^42,46,47