Royal College of Anaesthetists
Encyclopedia
The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) 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, physician assistants (anaesthesia) - (specialist 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
.
) and an educational journal (Continuing Education in Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain). The latter is written in collaboration with the Intensive Care Society
and the British Pain Society.
. Prior to 1988, 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.
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.
The College's motto is “Divinum sedare dolorem” (it is divine to alleviate pain).
Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (divided into the Primary FRCA
and Final FRCA
)
The patron of the Royal College of Anaesthetists is The Princess Royal
.
The President, Professional Standards, Editorial and communication
Personnel, Events, Courses, Meetings, Continuing Professional Development, College Archives
Training, Examinations, Quality Assurance of Training Environments, Overseas Doctors Training Scheme, Intensive Care
College Secretary, Finance, Membership services, Information Technology, Facilities, Venue Bookings
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
". It sets standards in anaesthesia, critical care
Intensive care medicine
Intensive-care medicine or critical-care medicine is a branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and management of life threatening conditions requiring sophisticated organ support and invasive monitoring.- Overview :...
, pain management
Pain management
Pain management is a branch of medicine employing an interdisciplinary approach for easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of those living with pain. The typical pain management team includes medical practitioners, clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists,...
, and for the training of anaesthetists, physician assistants (anaesthesia) - (specialist non-doctor anaesthetists) and practising critical care physicians. It also holds examinations for anaesthetists in training, publishes the British Journal of Anaesthesia
British Journal of Anaesthesia
BJA: British Journal of Anaesthesia is a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, of which it is the official journal. It was established in 1923 and covers all aspects of anaesthesia. The current editor-in-chief is...
, and informs and educates the public about anaesthesia. Its headquarters is in Churchill House
Churchill House
Churchill House, London on Red Lion Square in London is the headquarters of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the College of Emergency Medicine.-External links:*...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Role
The College’s activities are varied, but include the setting of standards of clinical care, establishing the standards for the training of anaesthetists and those practising critical care and acute and chronic pain management, setting and running examinations, and the continued medical education of all practising anaesthetists.Publications
The College publishes guidance for its members and also has a newsletter (The College Bulletin), a journal (British Journal of AnaesthesiaBritish Journal of Anaesthesia
BJA: British Journal of Anaesthesia is a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, of which it is the official journal. It was established in 1923 and covers all aspects of anaesthesia. The current editor-in-chief is...
) and an educational journal (Continuing Education in Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain). The latter is written in collaboration with the Intensive Care Society
Intensive Care Society
The Intensive Care Society is the organisation responsible for promoting and maintaining intensive care and critical care medicine in the United Kingdom. It is the representative body in the United Kingdom for intensive care professionals and patients and the oldest society for critical care...
and the British Pain Society.
History
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 EnglandRoyal College of Surgeons of England
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an independent professional body and registered charity committed to promoting and advancing the highest standards of surgical care for patients, regulating surgery, including dentistry, in England and Wales...
. Prior to 1988, 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
Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland represents over 10,000 anaesthetists in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland....
, which was set up in 1932 by Sir Ivan Magill
Ivan Magill
Sir Ivan Whiteside Magill was an Irish born anaesthetist who is famous for his involvement in much of the innovation and development in modern anaesthesia....
and others, and continues today.
Coat of arms and motto
The Coat of armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of the College shares some symbols and features with that of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
Royal College of Surgeons of England
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an independent professional body and registered charity committed to promoting and advancing the highest standards of surgical care for patients, regulating surgery, including dentistry, in England and Wales...
. It also incorporates coca
Coca
Coca, Erythroxylum coca, is a plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to western South America. The plant plays a significant role in many traditional Andean cultures...
leaves to symbolise local anaesthesia, and opium poppy
Opium poppy
Opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, is the species of plant from which opium and poppy seeds are extracted. Opium is the source of many opiates, including morphine , thebaine, codeine, papaverine, and noscapine...
heads to symbolise analgesia. The figures on either side of the shield (known as supporters) are two pioneers of anaesthesia, John Snow
John Snow (physician)
John Snow was an English physician and a leader in the adoption of anaesthesia and medical hygiene. He is considered to be one of the fathers of epidemiology, because of his work in tracing the source of a cholera outbreak in Soho, England, in 1854.-Early life and education:Snow was born 15 March...
and Joseph Thomas Clover.
The College's motto is “Divinum sedare dolorem” (it is divine to alleviate pain).
Examinations
Diploma of Anaesthesia ('DA' - now defunct)Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (divided into the Primary FRCA
Primary FRCA
The Primary FRCA is more fully called the Primary Examination of the Diploma of Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists.Trainee anaesthetists in the United Kingdom are required to pass this examination before applying for Higher Specialist Training in Anaesthesia...
and Final FRCA
Final FRCA
The Final FRCA is more fully called the Final Examination of the Diploma of Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists.Trainee anaesthetists in the United Kingdom are required to pass this examination during the first two years in a Higher Specialist Training post or during ST3-4 in the new...
)
Organisation
The College is made up from an elected Council of practising anaesthetists who elect a President and two Vice-Presidents from among their members. Particular areas of work are considered by Committees who report to the Council. Currently, the President is Dr Peter Nightingale and the Vice-Presidents are Dr Andrew Tomlinson and Dr David Greaves.The patron of the Royal College of Anaesthetists is The Princess Royal
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
.
Four sections
- Professional Standards Directorate:
The President, Professional Standards, Editorial and communication
- Education Directorate:
Personnel, Events, Courses, Meetings, Continuing Professional Development, College Archives
- Training and Examinations Directorate:
Training, Examinations, Quality Assurance of Training Environments, Overseas Doctors Training Scheme, Intensive Care
- The College Secretary’s Office:
College Secretary, Finance, Membership services, Information Technology, Facilities, Venue Bookings
Committees
- Academic and Research Committee
- Anaesthesia Practitioners Committee
- Audit and Internal Affairs Committee
- Board of the Faculty of Pain Medicine
- Communications Committee
- Critical Care Advisory Group
- eLearning Anaesthesia Executive Group
- Equivalence Committee
- Examinations Committee
- Finance Committee
- Intercollegiate Board for Training in Intentive Care Medicine (ICM)
- Intercollegiate Committee for Training in Paediatric ICM
- Joint AAGBI/RCoA Informatics Committee
- Joint Committee on Good Practice
- Joint Standing Committee of the RCoA and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Nominations Committee
- Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
Advisory Group - Patient Liaison Group
- Professional Standards Committee
- Quality Assurance Committee
- RCoA Board in ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
- Staff and Associate Specialists Committee
- Training Committee
Relevant External Links
- The British Journal of Anaesthesia
- The Association Of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
- Wikithesia.org The anaesthesia wiki for anaesthetists in training