Anaesthetic workforce
Championing the anaesthetic workforce
As the leading voice for the anaesthetic profession, we are dedicated to supporting and strengthening the anaesthetic workforce – empowering our members to deliver safe, high-quality patient care.
Anaesthetists are a vital part of the UK medical workforce. As the largest single hospital specialty, they provide care in a wide range of settings, including operating theatres, maternity units, pain services, and perioperative care. Importantly, most surgical procedures would not be possible without anaesthetists.
Despite their critical role, the UK is currently facing a significant shortage of anaesthetists, stretching departments to the limit and hindering national efforts to reduce waiting lists.
Our latest data shows that the UK is short of 1,900 anaesthetists - 15% below what is needed to meet current demand. However, the need for anaesthetists is set to rise even further in future, driven by factors such as an ageing population and increasing demand for surgery – so the shortfall is expected to grow unless urgent action is taken.
With NHS waiting lists at crisis levels, it is vital to realise just how critical anaesthetists are to addressing the backlog. Without an anaesthetic workforce that is adequately staffed, supported, and valued, it seems difficult to see how NHS recovery is possible.
What we’re calling for
1 – Increased anaesthetic training places
To tackle the anaesthetic workforce crisis, we must train more anaesthetists.
In England, 70 additional higher training posts per year were funded from 2022 to 2024, and these have recently been extended for another year, along with an additional seven training places. In Northern Ireland, eight new places have been funded for 2025. In Wales, six new higher anaesthetic training places were granted in 2023; in Scotland, six new places were granted in 2024.
These are positive steps, but far more training places are needed to meet demand.
Despite a strong interest in the specialty, thousands of talented and motivated doctors are unable to start anaesthetic training due to insufficiently funded training places. Last year, there were 6.5 times as many applicants as available training posts.
2 – Improved retention across the workforce
The NHS is losing too many staff. Factors such as burnout, inflexible working patterns, lack of professional development, and an ageing workforce are major contributors.
Specialists, associate specialists and specialty (SAS) Doctors need a particular focus. They are highly experienced doctors, making up a crucial part of the anaesthetic workforce. Yet many feel that they are not recognised or valued for their work. Survey work from the GMC found that 35.8% of SAS doctors feel they are not always treated fairly.
We are calling for action to improve retention by:
- engaging with doctors constructively on pay issues
- more support for career progression
- more flexible working hours
- addressing problems with pension taxation
- expanding professional development opportunities and recognition of SAS doctors, ensuring they are treated fairly and consistently.
Our key workforce projects
UK State of the Nation reports
Our State of the Nation reports provide an in-depth overview of the anaesthetic workforce. The reports analyse current challenges, forecast future needs, and set out clear calls to action.
RCoA Census
Every few years, we conduct a UK-wide census of the anaesthetic workforce. This provides robust workforce data to help us understand workforce trends and challenges, including current staff numbers and gaps, wellbeing and burnout, roles and responsibilities, working patterns, and professional development opportunities.
Other reports
Respected Valued Retained – working together to improve retention in anaesthesia
In 2021, we conducted a comprehensive review of retention in anaesthesia. The Respected Valued Retained report presents the findings of this, alongside clear recommendations to improve staff retention.