Members of the Royal College of Anaesthetists have voted through six resolutions proposed by grassroots campaigners who have opposed the expansion of anaesthesia associates, in an extraordinary general meeting held last week.
In all, 89% of college members at the virtual meeting voted in favour of a pause in the recruitment of anaesthesia associates until a survey of members and a consultation have been completed and the impact on doctors in training has been assessed and reviewed.1
An even greater proportion (93%) backed a motion that made it clear that local opt-outs from college guidance on the supervision of anaesthesia associates are not approved by the college.
The biggest support, of 96%, was for a motion calling for patients to be informed when an anaesthesia associate could be involved in their care, that they are not a registered medical practitioner, and who the responsible consultant anaesthetist is.
Nearly 5000 of the college’s voting members attended the virtual meeting …
