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Audit programmes should be developed locally but should include continuous audit of transfer of brain injured patients, neurocritical care capacity and demand, rates of unplanned admission and readmission to the intensive care unit, and the caseload of trainees. In general, local practice should be audited against compliance rates with national and expert consensus guidelines.^7,40,48

All anaesthetists should be fully familiarised with all remote areas of anaesthetic provision, e.g. as part of their induction process, prior to undertaking anaesthetic procedures in that location.⁵⁶ This should include familiarisation with the layout of the hospital and the location of emergency equipment and drugs, access to guidelines and protocols, information on how to summon support/assistance, and assurance...

When performing neuraxial anaesthesia, or where there is any possibility of a regional anaesthetic technique needing to be converted to general anaesthesia, all appropriate equipment for safe induction, maintenance and monitoring of general anaesthesia must be available as outlined in Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthesia Services for the Perioperative Care of Elective and Urgent Care Patients 2024.²⁸

The duty anaesthetist should have an effective and rapid means of communication with their supervisor at all times.²³ Staff working in the maternity unit should be aware of their supervisor’s identity, location and how to contact them. The name(s) of the autonomously practising anaesthetist(s) covering the delivery suite and how to contact them should be clearly displayed and easily...