The experience of becoming a consultant anaesthetist
In this podcast Dr Jennifer Proc talks to Dr Tara Byott and Dr Sarah Muldoon about their experiences becoming consultant anaesthetists.
They discuss how Sarah and Tara became consultants, and Jennifer's own experience working towards that, and cover topics including: the first appraisal, preparing for managing anaesthetists in training, handling expectations with surgeons and patients alike, imposter syndrome, advocacy for theatre teams, and more.
Tara and Sarah provide lots of advice drawn from their personal experiences, much of it not exclusive to the consultant role, with reflections on authority, responsibility, and gender that may be applicable to anyone moving to a more senior position.
Recorded 9 September 2025
Related information:
Dr Sarah Muldoon is a Consultant Anaesthetist specialising in neuroanaesthesia at King’s College Hospital in South London.
Born and raised in the Ayrshire town of Kilmarnock, Sarah is a graduate of Glasgow Medical School. She moved to London in 2010 as an Emergency Medicine trainee, later switching to Core Anaesthetic Training.
Sarah trained in the South East London School of Anaesthesia, with the exception of an excellent 12-month fellowship north of the Thames at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Sarah's clinical interests are neuro, airway and paediatrics, and she is co-lead for simulation in education at her trust.
Dr. Jennifer Proc is an ST7 Anaesthetic Registrar in the South East Scotland School of Anaesthesia imminently preparing for CCT. Since qualifying from Queen’s University Belfast (2015) she has pursued training and non-training grade roles in anaesthesia across the region. Her main interests lie in neuroanaesthesia, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, and patient safety initiatives.
Dr Tara Byott is a Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist working at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Tara was previously an elected member of the Association of Anaesthetists trainee committee and is passionate about medical education, with a particular interest in simulation training. Tara is also a founding faculty member of the joint RCoA/Association of Anaesthetists ‘Returning to Work in Anaesthesia’ online course.