All anaesthetists providing anaesthesia for trauma and orthopaedics should have appropriate knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviour in accordance with the RCoA training standards.96
Anaesthetists who manage patients with major trauma should consider undertaking Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), European Trauma Course or equivalent training, and should update their training at regular intervals.
The anaesthetist should not be responsible for performing the cardioversion; an appropriately trained physician, cardiologist or supervised nurse specialist is responsible for this role.50
There should be a named consultant or other autonomously practising anaesthetist and obstetrician responsible 24/7 for all women requiring a higher level of care.40
Anaesthetic care should be consultant or autonomously practising anaesthetist led, when possible. A neurocritical care facility should be available if needed after the procedure or a monitored bed on a hyperacute stroke unit as appropriate.
Availability of two consultant anaesthetists, or a consultant and senior trainee or SAS doctor, should be considered for more complex procedures, such as thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.2
Consultant or autonomously practising anaesthetists in cardiac units should be responsible for the provision of service, teaching, protocol development, management, research and quality improvement. Adequate time should be allocated in job plans for these activities.
Availability of two consultant anaesthetists, or a consultant and senior trainee or SAS doctor should be considered for more complex procedures, such as lung resection requiring ECMO1
Consultant or autonomously practising anaesthetists in thoracic units should be responsible for the provision of service, teaching, protocol development, management, research and quality improvement. Adequate time should be allocated in job plans for these activities.
