16th October celebrates the first successful public demonstration of ether anaesthesia (1846). This demonstrated that for the first time it was possible for patients to undergo surgery without the pain previously associated with it.
From these humble beginnings, anaesthesia has developed into a specialty which underpins all hospital medicine specialties. Anaesthetists (Anaesthesiologists) work in several areas including Perioperative, Intensive Care, Pain Medicine, acute resuscitation and trauma care.
Anaesthetists run clinics for high risk pregnant mothers, provide pain relief in Labour and support the care of women in labour, delivery and beyond. The Obstetric Anaesthesia Association has been instrumental in the reduction of maternal mortality. Anaesthesia is global.
In the UK, Anaesthesia is the single biggest hospital specialty and anaesthetists are involved in the care of over 70% of hospital admissions.
One thing which became obvious from the Covid-19 crisis is the value of the Anaesthesia and Theatre Teams to hospitals and the community in general. The public enquiry- ‘The impact of Covid -19 Pandemic on Healthcare systems is ongoing and makes all this quite clear.
The heavy workloads associated with the epidemic highlighted the impact on staff mental and physical wellbeing.
Appropriately, the theme for this year is the well-being of the anaesthesia workforce. The impact of workload, long hours and stress often impacts on staff wellbeing. It is important that the carers of patients are also cared for.
I would like to invite you all to join the anaesthesia community in celebrating World Anaesthesia Day 2024.
The Royal College Of Anaesthesia website has a lot of podcasts and resources which explains how anaesthesia impacts on all of our lives.
Please support your local anaesthesia and theatre teams.
Happy World Anaesthesia Day!