Safety, standards and quality

The College sets the highest standards for anaesthesia and patient care

We work with anaesthetists to improve safety and quality of the service they provide. We aim for our standards to be current and applicable to all UK public and independent healthcare environments, so they provide clear and concise direction.

The College is committed to setting the highest standards for anaesthesia and patient care, and to working with anaesthetists to improve the service they provide. This work is supported by high-quality research and innovation and is focused on improving patients’ safety, wellbeing and outcomes.

Ensuring safety

Anaesthesia is central to the delivery of effective hospital care and we remain committed to ensuring patient safety. The Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group (SALG), a partnership with the Association of Anaesthetists and other national health organisations, brings together UK stakeholders for all anaesthesia-related safety issues.

Delivering high standards, audit and accreditation practices

Our work in setting, measuring and promoting standards of good anaesthetic practice is world-class and underpinned by our award-winning national audit programme. Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA) is our peer review accreditation scheme for anaesthetic departments. ACSA is highly regarded and makes a positive impact on improving anaesthetic services across the health sector. Our expert advice is sought at individual and departmental level through our invited review service.

Improving quality

We are committed to improving quality through examinations and training, setting evidence-based standards for clinical practice and funding world-class research. We support hospital-based quality improvements by using nationally-gathered data to help members deliver real time, measurable improvements.

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