Guidance for employing bodies on arranging AACs

The RCoA provides representatives, also known as AAC assessors, for consultant anaesthetist and SAS anaesthetist roles. The RCoA AAC team also organises representatives to attend AAC panels on behalf of FICM and FPM and thus should also be contacted regarding consultant Intensivist, consultant pain medicine specialists and related SAS posts.

What is an AAC?

An Advisory Appointment Committee (AAC) is a legally constituted interview panel that is established by an employing body in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to appoint consultants or SAS doctors posts. 

The role of an AAC is to determine whether any applicants are suitable for appointment and to recommend the most appropriate candidate to the employing body. They ensure that the best person for the job is selected through a fair and transparent process, and that the successful candidate either has the required qualifications and competencies or is fully prepared to undertake the role.

Requesting an AAC Assessor 

The College provides assessors to attend Advisory Appointments Committee (AAC) panels upon request. To ensure availability, please give 8–12 weeks’ notice before the panel date. 

How to Request an Assessor 

1. Confirm the Panel Date Internally 

Once the date is agreed within your organisation, proceed with the request.

2. Complete the Request Form

Medical HR should fill out the form with: 

• Panel date, time, and location
• A copy of the approved Job Description (JD)
• The approval form

3. Plan Early

Early planning increases the chances of securing an appropriate assessor.

Important Notes 

We do not provide a list of assessors. Instead, we work with you to identify a suitable individual for your AAC panel. 

We encourage you not to approach consultants directly to sit on AAC panels as College representatives. The College maintains its own list of trained consultants, and all representatives must be selected through this process. 

Even if someone has previously sat on a panel, we are still required to follow the formal procedure. 

For all additional questions, please refer to our full guidance document or contact the AAC team at [email protected] or call at 020 7092 1571