Video fuels campaign to pause anaesthesia associate recruitment

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A university has removed a video of two anaesthesia associates discussing how to “bend the rules” following widespread condemnation by doctors.

The training clip was obtained by the campaign group Anaesthetists United, which is calling for a pause on the recruitment of associates.

In the clip, reported by the Daily Telegraph, a nurse trained as an associate said: "I do my own unsupervised lists for vascular access and I’ve also done my own lists, inducing, maintaining and reversing anaesthesia.”

Speaking to the other associate, the nurse said the role “is limited in its scope at present and different trusts will use you in different ways and will ‘bend the rules’ in different ways.”

The revelation came as anaesthetists prepare for a major debate on whether to accept the extension of associate training.

Royal College of Anaesthetists president Dr Fiona Donald told the paper: “Anaesthesia is a doctor led specialty and some of the comments made in the video appear to describe the sort of complex decision making and patient critical procedures that should remain the remit of doctors with the appropriate training, skills and experience.”