Departmental Wellbeing Lead job description will help support health and wellbeing of anaesthetists
The Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Association of Anaesthetists recommend that Wellbeing Leads are appointed in all anaesthetic departments in all hospitals across the UK. To support this recommendation, we have jointly published a Wellbeing Lead job description, requirements and person specification.
While the need for a dedicated role has previously been documented in the Association’s guidelines and the College’s Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthetic Services and Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation, it has not been universally adopted and the expectations and responsibilities of the role currently differ widely between departments.
Making it easier for departments to support staff
The job description and supporting information will make it easier for anaesthetic departments and trusts to support the health and wellbeing of staff through the appointment of a dedicated Lead. It demonstrates the important leadership role the anaesthetic department can have in aspects of staff wellbeing across the wider hospital trust.
This support is much needed, as our members continue to face extraordinary challenges in the face of workforce shortages and pressures, the elective care backlog and ongoing recovery from the pandemic.
The role can be undertaken by any autonomously practising anaesthetist, such as a consultant or SAS doctor. We recommend the Wellbeing Lead operates independently of, but where appropriate in partnership with, other departmental or trust/board leadership roles such as Clinical Leaders, College Tutors, and Guardians of Safe Working.
Programmed Activities
Crucially, we recommend that time, in Programmed Activities, should be allocated to the role. The amount will influence what can reasonably be delivered and should be proportional to the size of the department.
The development of the job description is part of a wider programme of work by the College and the Association, alongside other organisations, delivered through a Workforce Wellbeing Group, chaired by Dr Ramai Santhirapala. The Group worked collaboratively to highlight workforce wellbeing as a key priority for all relevant organisations, scope and share existing resources and enable strategic alliance at a national level so we can each better serve our members.
Dr Ramai Santhirapala, Wellbeing Lead for the Royal College of Anaesthetists said: “We know from the surveys carried out by the GMC and our College before, during and following the pandemic that poor mental health, burnout and low morale are endemic in our speciality. It was a valuable opportunity to better serve members and fellows to create a coordinated approach amidst several organisations supporting workforce wellbeing at a national level.”
Dr Fiona Donald, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists said: “Dedicated wellbeing leads can make a significant difference to our members and their colleagues by helping to create an environment where a positive and safe culture of speaking up about health and wellbeing is fostered. I hope that by providing a template for the role, we will encourage more departments and trusts to appoint a lead in this area.
The wellbeing of our members is a priority for the College, and we have benefited from working collaboratively with the Association of Anaesthetists and others to ensure we focus our collective efforts on meaningful support at a time when it is much needed.”
Dr Robert Self, Honorary Membership Secretary and Wellbeing Lead of the Association of Anaesthetists said: "The Wellbeing Lead role plays an essential part in supporting anaesthetists and providing information and resources. The role builds on existing recommendations from both Association of Anaesthetists and Royal College of Anaesthetists. As the description states, the Wellbeing Lead must have time and resource to fulfil the role. Wellbeing and Workforce requires consideration at all levels within healthcare organisations."
