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A clinical lead (see glossary) for anaesthesia in the non-theatre environment (ANTE) should be appointed with adequate time provided within their job plan. They should be involved in developing the service, training and revalidation of staff, and ensuring that safety standards and audit are appropriate.^1,2

A dedicated, skilled anaesthetic assistant should be available in all locations outside the operating theatre where anaesthesia is undertaken by an anaesthetist.³

If sedation is administered by an anaesthetist, then a suitably trained individual should be present to assist the anaesthetist.

If sedation is performed without an anaesthetist present, a designated, appropriately trained individual should be responsible for monitoring the patient and keeping records. This should be their sole responsibility¹ and should comply with the hospital’s sedation policy.

Patients recovering from anaesthesia or sedation in an isolated unit should receive the same standard of care as that required in an operating theatre post anaesthetic care unit (PACU).⁴ For major vascular surgery, transfer to the main PACU by appropriately trained personnel may be required.

If a radiology department provides an emergency interventional service for which general anaesthesia may be required, plans for staffing this anaesthetic service should be made, particularly outside of normal working hours.^5,6,7,8

Access to lifts for easy trolley transfer should be available.

Procedure rooms should be large enough to accommodate equipment and personnel, with enough space to move about safely and to enable easy access to the patient at all times.