New infographics support informed pain relief choices in childbirth

Pregnant women and people will benefit from accessible, evidence-based information on the risks and side effects of epidurals and spinal anaesthesia.

Find out more

Welcome to the Royal College of Anaesthetists

Anaesthesia is the largest single hospital specialty in the NHS. We are the professional body responsible for the specialty throughout the UK.

We're here to support your needs. Find out more about:

Find out more about what we do

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Training and careers
We're responsible for setting recruitment, training and assessment standards. This is how we're able to attract and then support the best doctors from medical schools.
Final FRCA Examinations

Examinations
The Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FRCA) examination tests the knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes required by anaesthetists in training.
Simulation training in anaesthesia

Research
The College supports the funding, development and delivery of high quality healthcare research.

Ways you can support our work

Membership

Membership
With over 26,000 fellows and members, we represent the three specialties of anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine.
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Resources
We keep our fellows and members up-to-date with the latest news from the College and specialty via the Bulletin and regular newsletters as well as providing free access to key academic journals.
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Get involved
We thrive because of our strong and active membership. As we're keen to involve you in our work to help shape future strategy, we've created numerous volunteering roles for fellows and members within the College.

Latest news

Tenth NELA report shows lowest mortality recorded
Emergency bowel surgery mortality rates are at their lowest in a decade, according to the latest data from the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA).

SAS Week 2025

SAS Week celebrates specialty, associate specialist and specialist (SAS) doctors and runs from 6–10 October 2025.

Black History Month 2025

At the Royal College of Anaesthetists, we are committed to supporting our fellows, members, staff and patients from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities.

Upcoming events

Innovation Symposium
This new symposium aims to present, discuss and promote innovation in anaesthesia, critical care, perioperative and pain medicine.

Winter Symposium 2025
Attend our two-day annual winter symposium to connect with experts in anaesthesia and enjoy a lively mix of lectures, debates and awards. Join us in London or online.

Anaesthesia 2026
Our Anaesthesia 2026 flagship conference will take place in Brighton and online in May 2026 for three days.

Membership provides a variety of benefits to both you as an individual member, but also to the specialty of anaesthesia.

Become a member