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The lead obstetric anaesthetist should audit and monitor the duty anaesthetist’s workload to ensure that there is sufficient provision within the unit. Senior management should be made aware of any deficiencies found.

It is recognised that in smaller units, it may be difficult to have a duty anaesthetist exclusively dedicated to the delivery unit. If the duty anaesthetist has other responsibilities, these should be of a nature that would allow the activity to be immediately delayed or interrupted should obstetric work arise. Under these circumstances, the duty anaesthetist should be able to...

An appropriately trained and experienced anaesthetist should be present for all neurosurgical operating lists and interventional neuroradiology sessions, with sufficient consultant-programmed activities to provide adequate supervision and support to trainee anaesthetists and SAS anaesthetists. 

An appropriately skilled or experienced stage 2 or above resident anaesthetist should be available immediately at all times. Appropriately experienced staff grade, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors and on-call consultants or autonomously practising anaesthetists should also be available within 30 minutes. Where paediatric services are provided, consultant or autonomously practising paediatric anaesthetists should be available.⁴

There should be a named consultant or other autonomously practising anaesthetist responsible for every elective caesarean delivery list. This anaesthetist should be immediately available. The named person should have no other concurrent clinical responsibilities.