Royal College of Anaesthetists

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The Royal College of Anaesthetists is "the professional body responsible for the specialty of anaesthesia throughout the United Kingdom". It sets standards in anaesthesia, critical care, pain management, and for the training of anaesthetists, anaesthetic practitioners (non-doctor anaesthetists) and practising critical care physicians. It also holds examinations for anaesthetists in training, publishes the British Journal of Anaesthesia, and informs and educates the public about anaesthesia. Its headquarters is in Churchill House, London.

1 History and Coat of Arms
2 Examinations
3 Official web site
4 Relevant External Links

[edit] History and Coat of Arms

The Royal College of Anaesthetists was awarded its royal charter in 1992, making it one of the youngest Royal Colleges of medicine. Prior to this time, it had existed as the College of Anaesthetists since 1988, when it split from the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Prior to 1998, it was known as the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, which was formed in 1948. The roots of the college can be traced back to the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, which was set up in 1932 by Sir Ivan Magill and others, and continues today.

The patron of the Royal College of Anaesthetists is Princess Anne, the Princess Royal.

The Coat of Arms of the College shares some symbols and features with that of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. It also incorporates coca leaves to symbolise local anaesthesia, and opium poppy heads to symbolise analgesia. The figures on either side of the shield (known as supporters) are two pioneers of anaesthesia, John Snow and Joseph Thomas Clover.