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Anaesthesia on Air
Published by Royal College of Anaesthetists
- Health & Fitness
- Medicine
- Science
Anaesthesia on Air is the Podcast from the Royal College of Anaesthetists. The Royal College of Anaesthetists is the professional body responsible for the speciality throughout the UK. We are the third largest Medical Royal College in the UK by membership. With a combined membership of 23,000 fellows and members, we ensure the quality of patient care by safeguarding standards in the three specialities of anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine. We are always looking for new content, so if you have any ideas, or would like to get involved, please contact us at: education-content .
Listen on Apple PodcastsRecent episodes
- The ethical and legal basis for consent from Anaesthesia on Air
In the first episode of this new ethics and law podcast series, Dr Paul McConnell is joined by healthcare law expert Dr Anna Nelson to explore one of the most fundamental principles in healthcare: consent. Together, they discuss why consent is far more than a signed form, examining the legal, ethical, and practical issues that shape informed decision-making. From landmark cases such as Montgomery to the challenges of capacity, communication, coercion, and risk disclosure, this episode offers a thought-provoking introduction to patient-centred care and the evolving legal landscape of consent. An essential listen for anyone interested in ethics, law, anaesthesia, intensive care, and modern clinical practice.
- TopMedTalk - Addressing drug allergy labels: insights and implications from Anaesthesia on Air
The next episode from our colleagues at TopMedTalk features Andy Cumpstey interviewing Louise Savic, consultant anaesthetist and NIHR doctoral researcher at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK, who specialises in drug allergy and peri-operative anaphylaxis, and Tom Abbott, clinical senior lecturer in anaesthesia and peri-operative medicine at Queen Mary University of London, UK, and a consultant anaesthetist whose research uses clinical epidemiology and trials to improve surgical outcomes and reduce peri-operative complications. The discussion highlights the vast disparity between true drug allergies and mislabelling, emphasizing that around 90-95% of penicillin allergy labels are incorrect. Dr. Savic shares her journey in drug allergy research, focusing on the perioperative setting, while Dr. Abbott discusses the linkage between antimicrobial prescribing and resistance. The talk covers results from the Sapphire Project, revealing the high incidence of mislabelled drug allergies and their associated increased postoperative risks. The episode also explores potential strategies for ‘de-labelling’ patients, the role of multidisciplinary collaboration, and the next steps in research and practice change. This was recorded at the RCoA's Anaesthesia Research 2025 event and was first released on TopMedTalk in February 2026.
- TopMedTalk - The role of AI in anaesthesia: insights from James Bowness from Anaesthesia on Air
The next episode from our colleagues at TopMedTalk features Andy Cumpstey interviewing James Bowness, Consultant Anaesthetist, at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and an Honorary Associate Professor of Anaesthesia at University College London. James and Andy discuss the definition and scope of AI, how it can be applied to healthcare, why Apple's approach to technology product development doesn't work in healthcare, and how clinicians can meaningfully get involved. James advocates for better links between industry and academia or clinical practitioners, and sees the opportunities for a so-called 'second mover advantage', to learn from successes and failures elsewhere before adopting them in anaesthesia and perioperative care. James shares the exciting work he's done with a national demand-signalling project for AI in anaesthesia. Andy spoke to James at the RCoA's Anaesthesia Research 2025 event in an episode first released in February 2026. Useful Links: Shaping the future of AI in anaesthesia - demand-signalling project Dr James Bowness staff page (UCLH) TopMedTalk episode page Anaesthesia Research 2026 Recorded November 2025, released on TopMedTalk February 2026.
- TopMedTalk - The challenges of AI in healthcare, a conversation with Dr Joe Alderman from Anaesthesia on Air
We have a departure from normal programming with an episode from our friends at TopMedTalk. Andy Cumpstey spoke to Joe Alderman at the RCoA's Anaesthesia Research 2025 event about the challenges of AI in healthcare in an episode first released in February 2026. Dr Alderman started his career in cell biology and immunometabolism and is an NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Anaesthetics and Postdoctoral Researcher in AI and Digital Health. Joe gives a nuanced and thoughtful perspective on why and how AI can fail to benefit patients, and how to address this gap. This TopMedTalk interview is a fascinating insight into a fast-moving and very current topic. Useful Links: TopMedTalk episode page Evidence-based perioperative medicine (EBPOM) Anaesthesia Research 2026 Dr Joe Alderman staff page (University of Birmingham) Recorded November 2025, released on TopMedTalk February 2026.
- Wellbeing and occupational health from Anaesthesia on Air
In this episode Dr Eoin Dore discusses wellbeing at work with Society of Occupational Medicine President Professor Neil Greenberg, and RCoA Wellbeing Lead Dr Ramai Santhirapala. They discuss the definition of wellbeing, how it relates to work, parallels between mental health in the military and civilian life, 'moral injury', and much more. This interview follows the publication of the College's recent report on wellbeing, burnout and retention - an analysis from the 2025 census. Useful links: Wellbeing, burnout and retention report (RCoA) Society of Occupational Medicine RCoA wellbeing hub [Recorded April 2026]
- A conversation with Prof Pierre Foex and Prof Helen Higham from Anaesthesia on Air
Welcome to this series of podcasts devised by the RCoA Heritage and Archives Committee. In this episode, Pierre Foex and Helen Higham talk to Maria Rollin about their work together, the importance of good mentoring and Pierre's 50 year association with the College and 66 years association with anaesthesia. They also talk about the success of the Cardiac Disease and Anaesthesia Symposium, which has now been running for over 20 years.
- Global emergency & operative care: challenges and opportunities from Anaesthesia on Air
In this episode, Dr Eoin Dore speaks to Miss Rachel Hargest following her presentation at the Winter Symposium 2025, where she delivered the Webb Johnson Oration Award lecture: Challenges and Opportunities for Surgeons and Anaesthetists in Global Emergency, Critical and Operative Care. Miss Hargest shares what it really takes to deliver safe, effective surgery in low‑resource settings. From inventive problem‑solving and ethical challenges to strengthening anaesthetic and surgical training worldwide, this episode uncovers the realities, opportunities and big global health questions shaping care today. A fascinating conversation for anyone interested in global surgery, anaesthesia, and building sustainable healthcare systems. Recorded Friday 21 November 2025 Related information: RCS England-LSE Global Surgery Policy Unit - LSE Miss Rachel Hargest Webb Johnson Oration 2025 presentation
- Living with MND: Andy’s Story from Anaesthesia on Air
In this episode, Dr Andrew Vaughton, former Consultant Anaesthetist at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation, shares his experience following his 2021 Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis and subsequent medical retirement. Andy now focuses on MND awareness, fundraising, and promoting health and community support. He’s joined by his wife Dr Susanne Vaughton, a former GP who left medicine after Andy’s diagnosis to become a full‑time writer. Known to readers as Susie Tate , she now balances authorship with advocacy and family life. Together, Andy and Susie discuss their projects, their commitment to supporting MND charities, and how they’re using their time and platform to create meaningful impact. This episode highlights purposeful action, the strength of partnership, and a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference. Recorded Friday 21 November 2025 Related information: Guinness World Record: Longest Beach Touch Rugby Game | £100k Raised for MND My Name’5 Doddie Foundation Andy’s Army fundraiser for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation
- AI and patient information from Anaesthesia on Air
In this podcast Dr Samantha Black, Dr Maya Sussmann and Chair of Patient voices at RCoA, Jenny Westaway discuss the use and growth of AI large language models and their role in the patient-clinician conversation, and the various risks and opportunities this presents. They discuss the latest technology being used and how patients are currently using AI to inform themselves about healthcare. Recorded 26 September 2025 Related information: Sycophancy in GPT-4o: what happened and what we’re doing about it: https://openai.com/index/sycophancy-in-gpt-4o/ Update that made ChatGPT 'dangerously' sycophantic pulled https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4jnwdvg9qo
- Anaesthesia 2025 podcast - Paediatric regional anaesthesia from Anaesthesia on Air
In this podcast, recorded at our Anaesthesia 2025 conference in Belfast consultant anaesthetists Dr Branislav (Brano) Mislovic and Dr Will Donaldson discuss developments in paediatric regional anaesthesia, following Brano's address to the conference. Brano and Will address misconceptions around paediatric regional anaesthesia, the use of ultrasound and the various opportunities and challenges around this. Recorded 20 May 2025 Related information: Association of Anaesthesia: New blocks on the kids: core basic nerve blocks in paediatric anaesthesia
- Anaesthesia 2025 podcast - Human Factors - Hewitt lectureship from Anaesthesia on Air
In this podcast, recorded at our Anaesthesia 2025 conference, Professor and Consultant Anaesthetist Helen Higham talks to Dr Paul Southall about her work and career improving the the 'complex and adaptive system' of anaesthesia often given by its shorthand, 'human factors'. For this work Helen was awarded the Hewitt Lectureship, given to established senior clinicians, academic experts or pioneers in their fields who have advanced the science or art of anaesthetic practice. Paul and Helen discuss her research interests, which include human factors and simulation-based education in healthcare, and her current projects focused on systems-based approaches to safety in primary care, human factors in low to middle income healthcare settings and the use of virtual reality to train healthcare professionals. Helen gives us an insight into her career and professional life, and bangs the drum for the importance of quality improvement, simulation and team-based learning and how central anaesthesia and its culture is to these practices in medicine. Recorded 20 May 2025 Related information: OxSTAR - Helen Higham Lectureships | The Royal College of Anaesthetists
- The experience of becoming a consultant anaesthetist from Anaesthesia on Air
In this podcast Dr Jennifer Proc talks to Dr Tara Byott and Dr Sarah Muldoon about their experiences becoming consultant anaesthetists. They discuss how Sarah and Tara became consultants, and Jennifer's own experience working towards that, and cover topics including: the first appraisal, preparing for managing anaesthetists in training, handling expectations with surgeons and patients alike, imposter syndrome, advocacy for theatre teams, and more. Tara and Sarah provide lots of advice drawn from their personal experiences, much of it not exclusive to the consultant role, with reflections on authority, responsibility, and gender that may be applicable to anyone moving to a more senior position. Recorded 9 September 2025 Related information: Juggling the list – patient care and training opportunities | The Royal College of Anaesthetists Making the most of stage 2 and 3 training
- CPOC patient safety 2025 prizewinner podcast from Anaesthesia on Air
In this podcast Dr Hattie White talks to CPOC Director David Selwyn and CPOC Fellow Claire Frank about her prize winning presentation “Improving Clinical Incident Reporting in a District General Hospital Anaesthetic Department.” They discuss Hattie’s QI work, how she came up with the idea, the challenges and her contributions to perioperative care as a result. We hope this will be of interest to listeners who are thinking about embarking upon their own QI project. Related information: Dr Hattie White's prize-winning poster Patient Safety in Perioperative Practice 2026 event
- Portfolio pathway - episode 5: Assessor viewpoint from Anaesthesia on Air
This is a special podcast mini-series focusing on the Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) programme, the process that enables doctors who don't hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) to join the GMC's specialist register and therefore be eligible to take up substantive consultant posts. We have created this mini-series to support those already undertaking the programme or for those interested in following the programme. The series consists of 5 episodes as below: Introduction to the Portfolio Pathways programme and this series Non-Clinical domains Clinical domains SIAs Assessor viewpoint Related information: RCoA portfolio pathway page Information for portfolio pathway applications Specialty Specific Guidance Special Interest Area Guidance Lifelong Learning Platform (LLP) LLP Webinar
- Portfolio pathway - episode 4: SIAs from Anaesthesia on Air
This is a special podcast mini-series focusing on the Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) programme, the process that enables doctors who don't hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) to join the GMC's specialist register and therefore be eligible to take up substantive consultant posts. We have created this mini-series to support those already undertaking the programme or for those interested in following the programme. The series consists of 5 episodes as below: Introduction to the Portfolio Pathways programme and this series Non-Clinical domains Clinical domains SIAs Assessor viewpoint Related information: RCoA portfolio pathway page Information for portfolio pathway applications Specialty Specific Guidance Special Interest Area Guidance Lifelong Learning Platform (LLP) LLP Webinar
- Portfolio pathway - episode 3: Clinical domains from Anaesthesia on Air
This is a special podcast mini-series focusing on the Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) programme, the process that enables doctors who don't hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) to join the GMC's specialist register and therefore be eligible to take up substantive consultant posts. We have created this mini-series to support those already undertaking the programme or for those interested in following the programme. The series consists of 5 episodes as below: Introduction to the Portfolio Pathways programme and this series Non-Clinical domains Clinical domains SIAs Assessor viewpoint Related information: RCoA portfolio pathway page Information for portfolio pathway applications Specialty Specific Guidance Special Interest Area Guidance Lifelong Learning Platform (LLP) LLP Webinar
- Portfolio pathway - episode 2: Non-clinical domains) from Anaesthesia on Air
This is a special podcast mini-series focusing on the Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) programme, the process that enables doctors who don't hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) to join the GMC's specialist register and therefore be eligible to take up substantive consultant posts. We have created this mini-series to support those already undertaking the programme or for those interested in following the programme. The series consists of 5 episodes as below: Introduction to the Portfolio Pathways programme and this series Non-Clinical domains Clinical domains SIAs Assessor viewpoint Related information: RCoA portfolio pathway page Information for portfolio pathway applications Specialty Specific Guidance Special Interest Area Guidance Lifelong Learning Platform (LLP) LLP Webinar
- Portfolio pathway - episode 1: Introduction to the Portfolio Pathway programme from Anaesthesia on Air
This is a special podcast mini-series focusing on the Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) programme, the process that enables doctors who don't hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) to join the GMC's specialist register and therefore be eligible to take up substantive consultant posts. We have created this mini-series to support those already undertaking the programme or for those interested in following the programme. The series consists of 5 episodes as below: Introduction to the Portfolio Pathways programme and this series Non-Clinical domains Clinical domains SIAs Assessor viewpoint Related information: RCoA portfolio pathway page Information for portfolio pathway applications Specialty Specific Guidance Special Interest Area Guidance Lifelong Learning Platform (LLP) LLP Webinar
- Remembering the Omagh bombing - Anaesthesia 2025 podcast from Anaesthesia on Air
In this podcast, recorded at Anaesthesia 2025, host Dr Helgi Johannsson talks to retired anaesthetist Dr John Maginness. On 15 August 1998 a bomb was detonated in Omagh town centre, in Northern Ireland. John, who lived locally, was a member of the medical team who responded. John joined the panel discussion on the Omagh bombing at our 2025 Belfast annual conference and in this podcast, recorded in Belfast, John shares his recollections of that day in 1998. John discusses his and Helgi's shared personal experiences of terror attacks and major incidents, how responses have developed (and what has stayed the same), and John's appreciation for the professionalism and competence of the many allied health professionals who worked in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb. Our Anaesthesia 2026 conference will take place in Brighton and online over three days in May 2026. If you want to hear from leaders in anaesthesia and get the latest insights and professional development book by 31 December to get 20% off. More details: Anaesthesia 2026 | The Royal College of Anaesthetists .
- GPC Hub - Anaesthesia 2025 from Anaesthesia on Air
In this podcast, recorded at Anaesthesia 2025, host Dr Toni Brunning and guest speakers Dr Joe Lipton, Dr Joe Hogan, Dr Hannah Headon, Dr Chris James and Dr Soumen Sen talk about the GPC (Generic Professional Capabilities) Hub, where the idea came from, and what others can learn through their experiences. Our Anaesthesia 2026 flagship conference will take place in Brighton and online over three days in May 2026. Book by 31 December to get 20% off! More details: Anaesthesia 2026 | The Royal College of Anaesthetists