Ten years of non-physician delivered anaesthesia

It has been over ten years since the anaesthesia community in the UK acknowledged that there could be a role for non-physicians in the delivery of their services. This article explores the journey from the design of the model and the educational process, through to the current successful deployment of physicians’ assistants (anaesthesia) by one of the UK's biggest NHS trusts. The benefits that have been demonstrated by Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust are explored from safety, quality and financial perspectives and are illustrative of the way that innovative perioperative practices can yield great benefits to patients and NHS organisations.