NAP8 Clinical Lead - Prof Alan MacFarlane
The Royal College of Anaesthetists Centre for Research and Improvement is delighted to announce that Prof Alan MacFarlane has been appointed to the role of NAP8 Clinical Lead. NAP8 will study complications of regional anaesthesia (peripheral blocks and central neuraxial blockade) and other neurological complications of anaesthesia.
Prof MacFarlane is a Consultant Anaesthetist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Honorary Professor at the University of Glasgow. He is past-President of RA-UK, an editor at BJA Education and Associate Editor at the BJA. He recently led the development of the new GPAS chapter on Regional Anaesthesia.
Following on from the hugely impactful previous NAP projects led by Professor Tim Cook and Dr Jasmeet Soar, I am delighted to be leading the 8th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists which will focus primarily on ‘Complications of regional anaesthesia’. Regional anaesthesia has many potential benefits and whilst serious complications are fortunately rare these can result in significant, life altering morbidity and mortality.
Unlike NAP3, NAP8 will examine not only central neuraxial blocks but also peripheral nerve blocks along with specific neurological complications following general anaesthesia. Hopefully with the tremendous help yet again of the UK anaesthetic community, and with increased private sector engagement, we can generate what could be potentially the largest dataset worldwide of peripheral nerve block complications, helping to answer fundamental questions in particular about the risk of peripheral nerve blocks in both adults and children. We will also be able to reflect upon and analyse what has changed with central neuraxial blocks since NAP3, therefore completing the first ever re-audit of a NAP project.
Over the coming months a steering group with all the relevant stakeholders will be formed and planning will begin with a view to the NAP8 activity phase starting possibly in early 2026. We hope that, as always with the generous help of UK anaesthetists the NAP8 team can produce yet another seminal piece of work that will generate key lessons and inform both patients and clinicians worldwide, this time focusing primarily on regional anaesthesia
Prof Iain Moppett, Director of the RcoA CR&I said: “We are delighted that Alan MacFarlane will be leading NAP8. He is incredibly passionate about regional anaesthesia, widely respected in the UK and abroad and brings a wealth of experience in building teams to deliver successful projects.”