NovPod, a beginner’s guide to anaesthetics, Episode 15: Life after the IAC with Fiona Donald
For the season finale of the NovPod, we are honoured to have Dr Fiona Donald, President of the RCoA, as our special guest. We discuss what life is like after the novice period and throughout the career of an anaesthetic trainee, as well as some of the challenges facing anaesthetists at the moment.
The Novpod: a beginner's guide to anaesthetics is created, edited, and co-hosted by Dr Eoin Dore and Dr Duncan Kemp. We are two anaesthetic registrars on a mission to help our new anaesthetic colleagues get to know some of the new concepts you will come across in your novice period, hopefully helping to take away any anxiety around starting your time in anaesthetics.
The NovPod is presented by Anaesthesia on Air, in association with the Royal College of Anaesthesia.
Please note that all opinions expressed in the podcast are those of the individuals appearing on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views of the RCoA.
References/links:
- Training link - RCoA stage 1 training link
- Resources-publications/Guidebooks/Trainee-Handbook 2021 - AA trainee handbook
Published September 2023
Eoin graduated from UCL in 2014 and after completing foundation training in London began ACCS anaesthetics training in Birmingham, before starting his registrar training in Thames Valley in 2021. Now starting his ST5 year, he’s taken on a new role as Chief Registrar at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Duncan graduated from UCL in 2014. He trained in Northwest London and is currently an anaesthetic registrar in North Central London.
Dr Fiona Donald qualified from Bristol University in 1985 and trained in anaesthetics in Bristol, the southwest, Oxford and Geneva from 1987-97. She was appointed as a Consultant at Southmead Hospital in Bristol in 1997 and has remained there ever since. Fiona's current areas of clinical interest are obstetric anaesthesia and perioperative medicine.
Fiona has been a Fellow of the College since 1991 and was elected to College Council in 2016. She was chair of the Finance and Resources Board of the College before becoming Vice President in 2019 and then President in 2021. She was previously a College Tutor, FRCA Examiner and Chair of the Final FRCA.
Fiona is a member of Council of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and was elected as one of the vice chairs in Nov 2022. Her remit in that role centres around medical workforce issues.