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 9 hospitals; Bath Royal United Hospital, Bristol Royal Infirmary, 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 will 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&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 the three month blocks of intensive care required for Intermediate ICM training as defined by the ICTB. The Final FRCA is taken during this period of training. 

Year five 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. 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. Advanced training modules exist in many 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 and are happy to be contacted at any time, contact details available under the Who's Who page of this website.