Our consultations and submissions
Placing anaesthesia at the heart of health policy
Contributing to consultation responses raises the profile of anaesthesia and places our specialty at the heart of health reform in the UK.
On this page you’ll be able to read our consultation responses that are putting anaesthesia at the heart of the narrative.
2020–2025
In 2023 the Government released the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. This pledged to double the number of medical school places but failed to match this with an increase in medical specialty training places.
In July 2025, the RCoA wrote to NHS England urging them to address anaesthetic workforce shortages in the updated 10 Year Health Plan (previously named NHS Long Term Workforce Plan).
In July 2024, Lord Darzi was appointed by the Government to undertake a rapid independent investigation into the state of the NHS, assessing patient access, quality of care and the overall performance of the health system.
The RCoA wrote to Professor Lord Darzi, outlining key issues for consideration in his independent investigation into the state of the NHS.
On 2 December 2024, we responded to the government’s ‘Change NHS’ consultation, which will feed into the development of its forthcoming 10-Year Health Plan for England. The plan will set out the Government and NHS England’s proposals to reform the health service.
A summary of the Royal College of Anaesthetist's response to the public consultation on the draft Career Development Framework for Medical Associate Professions (MAPs).
The Royal College of Anaesthetists submits evidence on the challenges that the anaesthetic workforce is experiencing in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Written evidence from the Royal College of Anaesthetists Welsh Board on the Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) and Social Care Wales (SCW) joint workforce strategy.
Representation from the Royal College of Anaesthetists calling for an increase in the number of higher anaesthetic training places.
The Royal College of Anaesthetists submits evidence for this critical review on the importance of anaesthesia and perioperative care workforce to deliver the health and care service of the future.
The Royal College of Anaesthetists submits evidence on elective surgery backlogs, workforce shortages and other resources pressures and the solutions to tackle them.
The Royal College of Anaesthetists submits evidence from surveys carried out on the anaesthetic workforce before and during the COVID-19 peak, and suggests improvements to tackle burnout.
Representation from the Royal College of Anaesthetists calling for a sustainable increase in anaesthetic training places and funding for perioperative care.
We write to the Health Secretary, identifying areas of bureaucracy affecting anaesthetists and put forward solutions for improving them.