Search

Anaesthetists appointed to organisation wide, non-clinical roles should be adequately supported with sufficient time and resources to undertake the role.

The department should have a structured educational training programme for anaesthetists covering updates on new techniques and practice developments.

Anaesthetists with a specific interest in regional anaesthesia should deliver regular appropriate theatre sessions to ensure the maintenance of their skills and experience.

To act as duty anaesthetist without direct supervision from a consultant, the anaesthetist should meet the basic training specifications and have attained the RCoA’s Initial Assessment of Competency in Obstetric Anaesthesia.²²

At all times, there should be an on site anaesthetist who has the ability and training to undertake immediate clinical care of all emergency surgical patients. Explicit arrangements should be in place to provide support from additional anaesthetists appropriate to local circumstances.

Anaesthesia departments should have a nominated anaesthetist immediately available and free from direct clinical responsibilities to provide cover in clinical emergencies, as well as providing advice and support to other anaesthetists.³⁹

The anaesthetist should not be responsible for performing the cardioversion; an appropriately trained physician, cardiologist or supervised nurse specialist is responsible for this role. Wherever possible, the anaesthetic should be administered by an appropriately experienced anaesthetist.³³

A named anaesthetist should be responsible for liaising with consultants in other departments with responsibility for sedation, to establish local guidelines and training for the provision of safe sedation by non-anaesthetists.^1,65

One or more named senior anaesthetists with appropriate training and expertise, and with an interest in head and neck surgery, should be responsible for directly or indirectly overseeing all complex and/or major head and neck procedures.⁵ All other regular sessions should have a named autonomously practising anaesthetist with appropriate skills assigned to them.⁶

All efforts should be made to ensure that anaesthetists in training receive adequate experience in emergency anaesthesia, and completion of workplace-based assessments should be supported.¹ Departments should monitor the frequency and the nature of non-theatre calls to establish whether the anaesthetists in training receive appropriate support and training and the patients receive adequate care. Departments should use this...