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About the School

Welcome

This is the official website of the Severn Deanery Postgraduate School of Anaesthesia, also known as the Bristol School of Anaesthesia. It contains information on various aspects of the school for those thinking of applying, as well as information relevant to anaesthetic, intensive care and pain training for Specialist Registrars already on the rotation.

The Bristol School of Anaesthesia is recognised by the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Director of Postgraduate Medicine and Dental Education (Postgraduate Dean) in the Severn Deanery. The training programme is competency based and subject to satisfactory training progress and assessment over a seven year programme. Trainees will be eligible for the award of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).

About the School

The Bristol School of Anaesthesia was established in 1996 to co-ordinate anaesthetic training in the Severn Deanery. There are approximately 140 training posts in nine hospitals; University Hospitals, Bristol (including the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children), Bath Royal United Hospital, Cheltenham General Hospital, Frenchay Hospital, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Southmead Hospital, Swindon Great Western Hospital, Weston General Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital. The Bristol School of Anaesthesia aims to provide high quality training in anaesthesia, pain management and intensive care medicine in line with the current guidelines issued by the Royal College of Anaesthetists, London, U.K. Exam results for Primary and Final FRCA are above average.

Basic (core) training will start in a District General Hospital with a period of directly supervised work lasting about three months. After achieving the initial test of competence the trainee may join the on call rota and work with close supervision. As well as gaining competencies in anaesthesia for general surgery, orthopaedics and gynaecology, three months of the first year will generally be spent in intensive care. The second year will continue with general cases and training in obstetric analgesia and anaesthesia. Trainees must pass the Primary FRCA examination and complete Basic Level Training to be eligible to apply for a year 3 (specialty registrar) post.

Intermediate training (years 3 and 4) is provided in the Teaching Hospitals; Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and Frenchay Hospital, following a modular training programme to cover all sub-specialties of anaesthesia including a three month block of intensive care required for Intermediate ICM training as defined by the ICTB. The Final FRCA is taken during this period of training.

Higher training starts in year five, which is usually undertaken in a DGH. During this time trainees further develop their clinical skills and will take on additional clinical responsibilities and supervision of more junior colleagues. There is a further three month block of intensive care during the higher training years. In year six and seven further experience will be offered in anaesthetic sub-specialities. The organisation of modules is dependent on the trainees’ requirements and future career plans in anaesthesia, intensive care and pain management. In addition further experience will be offered in teaching, audit, research and management.

All trainees choose some Advanced training modules, which exist in general and specialist areas; if oversubscribed they are allocated competitively within the School. Advanced training in Intensive Care Medicine for one year is possible after successful open competitive interview to satisfy the Intercollegiate Board. These posts are advertised nationally and appointed annually.

In general the programme is more flexible for the more senior trainees to allow them to target their training towards their career aspirations. Out of Programme Training (OOPT) to undertake further specialty training locally, nationally or abroad is supported at this stage, usually in year six. The final 6 months of training must be undertaken in the UK. Off rotation attachments are discretionary and will depend on satisfactory progress within the training programme. A year’s notice is required to organise time out of programme.

The Head of School is Dr Su Underwood and the School Support Manager is Julie Flowers both are happy to be contacted at any time.

Julie Flowers - School Support Manager

Julie Flowers provides support to the Head of School of Anaesthesia, Training Programme Director and the School of Anaesthesia, also co-ordinating core training and assessment within the School.

Please contact Julie Flowers regarding any School queries including:

  • Details of School Board Meetings
  • Information regarding ARCP assessments
  • School Teaching Days
  • Study Leave
  • Courses recommended by the School
  • Eportfolio
  • Open Evenings
  • School Induction
  • Careers Fair
  • ACCS Rotations
  • School Newsletter
  • School website updates
  • Allocation of placements

Diane Lloyd - Recruitment and Selection Manager

Diane Lloyd is responsible for all aspects of recruitment and training of core and specialty doctors within the Severn Deanery in Anaesthetics.

Please contact Diane regarding any recruitment and training queries including:

  • Recruitment to substantive core and specialty training posts in Anaesthetics within the Severn Deanery
  • Requests for out of programme experience (OOP)
  • Inter-deanery transfer requests (in or out)
  • Flexible training
  • Maternity leave
  • Extended sick leave
  • Future and existing placements on the rotation
  • Entering or completing of LAT posts
  • General entering and completing of the training programme (including requests for completion of CCT form)
  • Changes to CCT date.