There should be a named consultant or other autonomously practising anaesthetist and obstetrician responsible 24/7 for all women requiring a higher level of care.40
Hospitals should use the training opportunities available in ophthalmic anaesthesia to facilitate anaesthetists in training's acquisition of the learning outcomes of the RCoA 2021 Curriculum.39
Anaesthetic care should be consultant or autonomously practising anaesthetist led, when possible. A neurocritical care facility should be available if needed after the procedure or a monitored bed on a hyperacute stroke unit as appropriate.
Availability of two consultant anaesthetists, or a consultant and senior trainee or SAS doctor, should be considered for more complex procedures, such as thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.2
Consultant or autonomously practising anaesthetists in cardiac units should be responsible for the provision of service, teaching, protocol development, management, research and quality improvement. Adequate time should be allocated in job plans for these activities.
Availability of two consultant anaesthetists, or a consultant and senior trainee or SAS doctor should be considered for more complex procedures, such as lung resection requiring ECMO1
Consultant or autonomously practising anaesthetists in thoracic units should be responsible for the provision of service, teaching, protocol development, management, research and quality improvement. Adequate time should be allocated in job plans for these activities.
Thoracic anaesthetists working in non-transplant centres should be familiar with the principles of the anaesthetic management of patients who have previously undergone lung transplantation.26
Risks associated with anaesthesia should be discussed and risk infographics such as the Royal College of Anaesthetist’s ‘Common events and risks in anaesthesia’ should be available.100
