Across the UK, great perioperative care is being delivered by a range of professionals from different clinical backgrounds. 

Many of these professionals receive some formal training in perioperative care during their careers, but many do not. Many anaesthetists recognise that optimal perioperative care is crucial in reducing the number of people waiting for surgery, improving outcomes when they do have surgery, and optimising long-term health.

To do this, we need a skilled multiprofessional workforce with consistent training and education. NHS England therefore contracted the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC) to develop a multiprofessional medical curriculum in perioperative care. CPOC – a cross-specialty collaboration which works with patients and partner organisations to promote and develop perioperative care – is ideally placed to harness the expertise of professionals and patients, reflecting both users and providers of perioperative care.