Anaesthesia underpins acute patient care in hospitals

The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) carried out a review of the roles of anaesthetists in providing acute care services in both public and private hospitals in Europe, North America and South-East Asia. As a result, ANZCA revised its education and training program and its processes relating to overseas-trained specialists. The new training program, introduced in 2004, formed the basis for submissions to the Australian Medical Council, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission/Australian Health Workforce Officials' Committee review of medical colleges. A revised continuing professional development program will be in place in 2007. Anaesthetists in Australia and New Zealand play a pivotal role in providing services in both public and private hospitals, as well as supporting intensive care medicine, pain medicine and hyperbaric medicine. Anaesthesia allows surgery, obstetrics, procedural medicine and interventional medical imaging to function optimally, by ensuring that the patient journey is safe and has high quality care. Specialist anaesthetists in Australia now exceed Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee recommendations.