Patients ‘at risk’ as the anaesthetists shortage is predicted to increase

Patients ‘at risk’ as the anaesthetists shortage is predicted to increase Doctors’ study says worrying shortfall of trained staff in NHS could delay operations

The NHS faces a critical shortage of anaesthetists that could force operations to be delayed and even threaten patient safety, doctors’ leaders have warned.

New research shows that by 2033 every hospital trust will have 10-20 fewer consultant anaesthetists than they will need to meet rising patient demand. It estimates that, while the NHS has agreed that its total of anaesthetists should expand to 11,800 by that date, on current trends it is likely to reach only 8,000 – a shortfall of 3,800, or about 33%. Continue reading... The Guardian