As a patient, you will want to know that the person administering your anaesthetic has been trained properly to do so, that you are in safe hands and that everyone is working together for the best possible health outcome for you. 

One of the professionals you might meet, as well as a consultant, specialist anaesthetic (SAS) doctor, anaesthetist in training (junior doctor, or registrar) is the anaesthesia associate (AA). 

AAs are not doctors but are trained to perform your assessment or administer your anaesthetic, and always work under the close supervision of a consultant anaesthetist or autonomously practising SAS doctor. 

You may meet an AA at any stage of your anaesthetic care and they may: 

• assess you before the operation to check your health and to discuss your care during and after your surgery. After discussing any choices with you, they will plan your anaesthetic care and agree this plan with the consultant anaesthetist who oversees and is responsible for your care 
• give your anaesthetic or sedation under the supervision of a consultant or autonomously practising SAS doctor
• assess you after the operation to make sure that you are recovering well 

• provide resuscitation in case of emergency. 

Further information for patients about the anaesthetic team  can be found on the RCoA Patients Information page.