ABOUT ANAESTHESIA

The role of the anaesthetist is to preserve and maintain the life of the patient during surgery and other procedures, and to supervise the patient during the recovery phase. Responsibilities include pre-anaesthetic assessment of the patient, constant supervision of the patient during anaesthesia and management of pain following surgery. The anaesthetist takes this role not only in relation to surgery in operating theatres but also for procedures in cardiac laboratories, endoscopy suites, imaging departments, labour wards and day surgery units. The role of the anaesthetist as a peri-operative physician is expanding. Anaesthetists work closely with surgeons, obstetricians, physicians and radiologists and are usually supported by anaesthetic technicians.