Anaesthetists are highly qualified specialist doctors with unique clinical knowledge and skills. They play a major role in the perioperative care of surgical patients and are closely involved in other important fields of medicine. Anaesthetic practice involves assessing patients thoroughly and using knowledge and experience to ensure the best care is delivered through surgery.

Anaesthetists review patients to ensure they are optimally fit for the surgery and assist in planning their overall care before, during and after the procedure.

Many anaesthetists work in a variety of settings. Along with the operating theatre and post-anaesthesia care unit, they may work in pre-admission clinics, retrieval services, intensive care units and pain services, in a variety of public and private hospitals.

All our anaesthetists are highly trained, having spent many years acquiring the skills and knowledge to safely deliver care to you.

There are several types of anaesthesia that can be used individually or together, depending on the type of surgery and your health. In consultation with you and your surgeon, your anaesthetist aims to provide the safest and most appropriate type of anaesthesia for you.

Sedation: helps you feel relaxed and comfortable, aiming to have little to no memory of the procedure.

Regional anaesthesia: used to numb an area of your body where you are having an operation, where feasible. This allows you to be fully aware but not in pain. In some circumstances this can be used in conjunction with sedation or general anaesthesia.

Local anaesthesia: numbs just a small area of your body for minor procedures.

General anaesthesia: produces unconsciousness, and stops you being aware or feeling pain during your procedure. This may be associated with breathing or circulation changes in your body. This is different from sleeping; you are in a carefully controlled state of unconsciousness where you are closely monitored throughout.

Australia is one of the safest places in the world to have an anaesthetic. Anaesthetists in Australia are highly trained; after finishing medical school and working for at least two years as a junior doctor, Australian anaesthetists complete at least five years of training to become a qualified fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.

Specialist anaesthetists are also required to participate in continuing professional development (CPD), to ensure their knowledge and skills are up to date.

There are some simple things you can do to prepare for your procedure.

Your anaesthetist will need to know a few things about your health before your operation, including your general health and any existing health conditions, medications and allergies, and any issues you or your family members may have had with anaesthesia. Please answer these questions honestly, to the best of your ability, as the answers will help to tailor your anaesthetic to suit your individual needs.

If you are a smoker, it is generally best to quit for a period of time; even giving up for a short period is helpful.

You will receive specific instructions on when to stop eating and drinking before your surgery. Having undigested food in your stomach during anaesthesia can cause serious complications.

You may also receive instructions on which medications you should not take in the days leading up to your surgery.

If you are having a day procedure, you will need to ensure that a family member or friend can pick you up after your surgery; it is generally not safe for you to drive for at least 24 hours after anaesthesia as your judgement may be impaired.