In this Black History Month episode, we sit down with Dr Sethina Watson, Consultant Anaesthetist, and Mr Russell Ampofo, Director of Education, Training and Examinations at the RCoA. We celebrate the contributions of black anaesthetists and explore representation, allyship and advancing equity and inclusion in anaesthesia.

Joe Pick and Claire-Marie Agius are joined by Kim Thomas. Kim is CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, a charity that supports parents experiencing psychological symptoms such as PTSD after traumatic birth. She was also the secretariat for the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) inquiry into birth trauma, and wrote the inquiry report, published in May 2024. We discuss the idea of birth trauma and how as anaesthetists we may be able to help those going through traumatic situations.

Starting anaesthetics training can feel exciting, daunting, and everything in between. In this episode, we sit down with a resident doctor who has just completed Stage 1 to share what it’s really like — from first on-calls to tackling the Primary FRCA, managing the e-portfolio, and finding your feet in theatre. Packed with practical tips, honest reflections, and advice they wish they’d known on day one, this is your survival guide to navigating Stage 1 and setting yourself up to thrive.

A two part episode with a meeting with former ENT surgeon and current MP, Mr Peter Prinsley, to talk about his career change, followed by a chat with President of the Association, Dr Tim Meek, to discuss how the Association advocates for its members.  

In the latest episode of the Coffee and a Gas podcast, veterinary anaesthetist Daisy Norgate joins Joe Pick to discuss her career. We cover career paths and technical aspects of anaesthetising some weird and wonderful cases.

In this episode, we talk to Dr Brunning about the strategies we can use to improve our wellbeing, by trying to make sure we have a good day.

In this episode we are exploring the highs and lows of spending 526 days as a British Antarctic Survey doctor, with Dr Kat Ganly. 

In this episode introduced by Dr Claire-Marie Agius, we talk with Dr Louise Flynn, consultant paediatric anaesthetist in Leeds, about using escape rooms to study team dynamics in theatre.

In this episode, Dr. Matt Wiles, editor-in-chief of Anaesthesia, discusses the 10 most impactful papers (2023-2024) in anaesthesia.  For links to the papers discusses, follow Pick of the Papers 2024 | STH Journal Club (wordpress.com)

In this episode, Dr Nancy Redfern discusses the benefits of mentoring for anaesthetists, particularly when starting a new role or wrestling with a dilemma. Are you attending the Annual Congress, or any other large Conference organised by the Association of Anaesthests? Book a free introductory mentoring session.  Interested in having a mentor? Fill in our booking form Mentee_booking_form_Association_of_Anaethetists_Sep_2018 (New.docx (live.com) and as a member of the Association of Anaesthetists, you can access mentoring via our free Association Mentoring Scheme. Further info regarding mentoring: Mentoring for doctors in the UK: what it can do for you, your colleagues, and your patients (bjaed.org), and "Coaching and Mentoring at work" by Connor & Pokora.

Welcome to another special internationally-themed episode of our podcast Coffee and a Gas, where we embark on a global exploration of equity in anaesthesia. In this episode, we bring unite the UK and Kenya as our host speaks with Dr Tom Bashford and Dr Rediet Shimeles Workneh to gain insightful conversations unravelling the complex web of challenges and triumphs in the pursuit of global equity in anaesthesia. This episode sheds light on the work of the Association’s International Relations Committee and inspiring endeavours that aim to bridge gaps in the access of quality anaesthetic care and shares stories of resilience, innovation, and collaborative efforts aimed at addressing inequities.

Ben Morton and Duncan Wagstaff – Research in lower income settings Join us for another special internationally-themed episode of our podcast Coffee and a Gas, where we explore the fascinating intersection of anaesthetic research and healthcare challenges in low-resourced countries. In this episode, join our host as they sit down with Dr Ben Morton in the UK and Dr Duncan Wagstaff from South Africa to discuss the challenges and inequalities faced in lower-income environments, and how the Association’s International Relations Committee (IRC) is helping the efforts of individuals and organisations dedicated to improving collaboration through research and publication opportunities worldwide. Listen to inspiring stories and advice from our guests who will explore the global landscape of anaesthetic research, collaboration, and the transformative impact that thoughtful research can have on communities facing healthcare disparities. Welcome to another inspiring episode which shows how the IRC has changed lives around the world.

Welcome to a special international-themed episode of our podcast Coffee and a Gas. In this episode, we travel to San Francisco and Uganda bring together Dr Maytinee Lilaonitkul and Dr Mary Nabukenya to shine a spotlight on a groundbreaking Safer Education From Anaesthesia (SAFE) program. Join us for an insightful exploration of SAFE, a collaborative venture with the Association of Anaesthetists and the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists that unites anaesthesia professionals from around the world in the pursuit of standardised, high-quality education. Our inspiring guests will share their expertise on how this initiative is shaping the landscape of anaesthesia education on an international scale. Welcome to an episode that underscores the importance of international collaboration in advancing the standards of anaesthesia education and, ultimately, ensuring safer practices across the globe!

In celebration of Pride Month, members of the Trainee Committee are joined by Dr. Travis Reece-Nguyen to discuss diversity within anaesthesia, perioperative care for LGBTQ+ patients as well as their own personal experiences. Dr. Reece-Nguyen is an anaesthesiologist at Stanford’s Children Hospital and National Vice Chair of the American Society of Anesthesiologists LGBTQ+ Ad-Hoc Committee.  

In this three-part series of exit interviews, we have informal conversations with previous UK anaesthetic trainees who left the traditional training structure to pursue another path. These paths include careers outside of medicine, and outside of the UK. We ask about their thoughts on their time as a trainee. In this episode, Hiba Khaled shares her experience.

In this three-part series of exit interviews, we have informal conversations with previous UK anaesthetic trainees who left the traditional training structure to pursue another path. These paths include careers outside of medicine, and outside of the UK. We ask about their thoughts on their time as a trainee. In this episode, Nilofer Ahmed shares her experience.

In this three-part series of exit interviews, we have informal conversations with previous UK anaesthetic trainees who left the traditional training structure to pursue another path. These paths include careers outside of medicine, and outside of the UK. We ask about their thoughts on their time as a trainee. In this episode, Chris Smith-Brown shares his experience.

In this episode we discuss Dr. Rob Fleming’s experience developing his career as a specialist anaesthetist and how this under-represented part of the medical workforce could be the solution to the anaesthetics training crisis.

Dr. Caroline Corbett is a specialist anaesthetist in Cape Town, South Africa. She is the current President of the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists and the Medical Director & Co-Founder of Morgan Joshua Innovation – a start up medical tech company. In this episode, we discuss human-centric innovation and why any great idea or advancement must focus on people and staff.

Happy New Year and welcome back to Coffee and a Gas Podcast! In this episode, Claire-Marie Agius interviews Dame Julia Slingo about the role of the anaesthetist in the climate crisis and the evidence base behind interventions to reduce the carbon footprint in anaesthesia. Dame Slingo was the UK Chief Scientist at the Met Office until 2016. She is also a visiting professor in the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, where she held, prior to appointment to the Met Office, the position of Director of Climate Research in the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) National Centre for Atmospheric Science. For further information on this topic, do look out for Dame Slingo’s article in the January issue of Anaesthesia.