Scope of practice for anaesthesia associates beyond qualification

Published: 05/04/2024

The Royal College of Anaesthetists is in the process of developing a scope of practice for anaesthesia associates beyond the point of qualification, to take effect in 2025 after regulation of AAs is in place.

A small team within the College will lead on writing the scope of practice. The core writing group will comprise a Clinical Lead (a consultant anaesthetist/senior autonomously practising anaesthetist to be recruited shortly), four Council members, an anaesthetist in training, two representatives from the Association of Anaesthetists and a representative from Regional Anaesthesia UK (RA-UK). We will publish the names of these individuals, including declarations of interest, once the Clinical Lead has been appointed and the writing group has been established.

The writing group will be assisted by a larger, representative group who will form a clinical reference group and provide input and feedback on drafting the scope of practice. The clinical reference group is currently comprised of representatives from a number of groups and organisations, including:

  • The Association of Anaesthetists
  • The Association of Anaesthesia Associates
  • Regional Anaesthesia United Kingdom (RA-UK)
  • The RCoA Clinical Leaders in Anaesthesia Network (CLAN)
  • Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) providing AA courses
  • Relevant RCoA Boards, Committees and individuals (Devolved Nations Boards, Anaesthetist in Training Representative Group, SAS Committee, Bernard Johnson Adviser for Training and RCoA National Clinical Lead for AAs)
  • PatientsVoices@RCoA
  • NHS England
  • General Medical Council

To date, we have hosted two workshops attended by members of the reference group to discuss the principles underpinning the scope of practice framework and what AAs can and should deliver in the workplace in relation to workforce needs and patient safety. Further workshops will be held over the course of the year.