Useful resources
Trusted information about anaesthesia and preparing for surgery.
Download patient information leaflets
Leaflets from the Royal College of Anaesthetists and partner organisations. Download a copy to read before your operation, or to share with family.
Leaflets © Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, reproduced for patient information. Translations are available at rcoa.ac.uk/translations.
Watch and learn
Short films that explain what to expect. They open on YouTube or Vimeo in a new tab.
Anaesthesia explained
A short introduction to anaesthesia and what anaesthetists do.
Watch on YouTube ↗ YouTube · Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation TrustYour anaesthetic choices for hip or knee replacement
The anaesthetic options for planned hip or knee replacement surgery.
Watch on YouTube ↗ YouTube · NHS Golden JubileeSpinal anaesthesia: hip replacement patient information
What to expect from your anaesthetic, including a spinal, for a hip replacement.
Watch on YouTube ↗ YouTube · Regional Anaesthesia UK (RA-UK)Nerve blocks: an information video for patients
What a nerve block is, how it is done and what to expect afterwards.
Watch on YouTube ↗ YouTube · MagicBulletTVYour child's general anaesthetic: magic milk and squidgy masks
Helping children and parents get ready for a general anaesthetic.
Watch on YouTube ↗ Vimeo · ForMed Films with Bristol Royal Hospital for ChildrenA Little Deep Sleep
A family guide to anaesthetics for children, from arriving at hospital to waking up.
Watch on Vimeo ↗These videos are made by other organisations, and some describe how other hospitals do things. Your anaesthetist will explain what happens for your own operation.
Trusted organisations
Royal College of Anaesthetists
Patient leaflets on anaesthesia, sedation, nerve blocks and specific risks.
Visit site ↗ cpoc.org.ukCentre for Perioperative Care
"Fitter Better Sooner" guides to getting ready for surgery.
Visit site ↗ anaesthetists.orgAssociation of Anaesthetists
Information about anaesthetists and anaesthesia in the UK.
Visit site ↗ nhs.ukNHS: Anaesthesia
An overview of the types of anaesthesia and their side effects.
Visit site ↗ fhft.nhs.ukFrimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
The NHS trust where all of our consultants work.
Visit site ↗ gmc-uk.orgGMC medical register
Check the registration of any doctor in the UK.
Visit site ↗