Adequate time for formal multidisciplinary team (MDT) handovers between shifts should be built into the timetable. In the case of the anaesthetist being otherwise engaged with work at the time of the MDT labour ward handover, a briefing from the midwifery and obstetric team should be sought at the earliest opportunity to facilitate a shared mental model of the existing...
Post menarcheal women should be made aware of the need for clinicians to establish pregnancy status before surgery or procedures involving anaesthesia. While obtaining and documenting this information is primarily the responsibility of the operating surgeon or paediatrician, anaesthetists may also feel it necessary to confirm that such checks have been performed. Trusts should have agreed policies and arrangements for...
Fellowship posts should be identified to allow additional training for those who wish to follow a career in thoracic anaesthesia to help ensure there are adequate numbers of skilled anaesthetists in the specialty. These should be suitable for trainees who wish to take time out of training programmes, or for those who are post certificate of completion of training. Such...
Scheduled lists that are planned to take longer than three sessions (e.g. where a patient requires prolonged time in theatre) must be staffed appropriately to ensure that no single anaesthetist works longer than three elective sessions. Adequate rest periods during sessions must be provided. 31, 32, 33
All anaesthetists and anaesthetic assistants as well as ODPs should receive systematic training in the use of new regional anaesthesia equipment. Provision and receipt of training should be clearly documented. Staff should not use regional anaesthesia equipment unless appropriately trained. There should be a suitable induction policy for new staff and when new equipment is introduced, with a record of...
More than one in five of the non-trainee anaesthetic workforce are SAS doctors, yet the grade is still sometimes misunderstood.
The College is keen for SAS doctors to get the recognition and support they deserve. As SAS Wellbeing lead, I started an initiative last year to spotlight the achievements of our SAS members by asking them to share their stories with us for publication on the College website and social media. Our aim was to enhance people’s understanding of the huge range of skills, experience and responsibilities of SAS doctors, to boost pride in being an SAS doctor, and to improve wellbeing.
The Gold Guide’s latest guidance suggests that any trainee can apply for LTFT training (including those not yet in post but who have received an offer) provided they have a ‘well-founded individual reason’. In Yorkshire and Humber Deanery, the number of anaesthetic/ICM LTFT trainees has nearly tripled in the last five years. We anticipate LTFT numbers increasing in the future as more trainees seek better work–life balance. Training Programme Directors (TPDs) are encouraged to slot-share LTFT trainees, as this decreases gaps in rotas and continues to maintain recruitment (as LTFT training prolongs training pro-rata). This is important as the RCoA estimates that there will be a shortfall of 11,000 anaesthetists by 2040. If not slot-shared, a solo LTFT trainee does reduced sessions in a single FT slot.
Standards of accommodation for doctors in training should be adhered to.29 Where a consultant or other autonomously practising anaesthetist is required to be resident, on-call accommodation should be provided.29
