Patient information resources

PIF Tick Logo - patient information

The patient information produced by the College is certified by the PIF Trusted Information Creator Kitemark accreditation scheme run by Patient Information Forum (PIF) for measuring the quality of health information.

More information here
Patient leaflet with doctor and patient

Patient leaflets and video resources
Read or view our patient-focused resources, including a series of leaflets to help you prepare for your anaesthetic. Each resource has detailed information for different types of operation or procedure.
FAQs from patients and carers

Patient Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These FAQs are designed to provide general information. Every patient is different and your healthcare team will provide information specific to you and your operation. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns that you have with the team.
Preparing for surgery: Fitter Better Sooner

Preparing for surgery – Fitter Better Sooner
Having surgery? Our Fitter Better Sooner toolkit will help you prepare for surgery and share all the important steps you can take to improve your health and speed up your recovery.
Anaesthetists discussing patient in theatre

Anaesthesia explained
This information explains in detail what will happen from the beginning to the end of your anaesthetic. It explains how the team at the hospital will prepare you for an anaesthetic and then care for you, as you have your operation and afterwards.
Patient with mask

Anaesthesia and risk
If you are in good health, modern anaesthetics are very safe. All procedures though have some risks. Our risk resources are designed to look at the main risks of anaesthesia.
Child's teddy bear

Children, parents and carers
Information for children or their parents or carers to read. Children and young people helped to write our resources and they show you what to expect when you have an anaesthetic and what choices there may be.
Patient relaxing with sedation

Sedation
This section explains what sedation is, how it works and when you may need it. It also explains the benefits and risks of using sedation, what it might feel like and also how to look after someone who has had sedation or anaesthesia.
Clinician and anaesthetic machine

Medical conditions
Read our factsheets which have been developed to provide information on a wide range of anaesthetic related topics.
Easy Read accessible resources

Easy Read and accessible resources
The Patient Information Group strives to ensure the College’s patient resources are accessible to a variety of individuals with additional needs. Read our Easy Read booklet for patients and their carers here.
A-Z patient glossary

A to Z of medical terms (glossary)
Read our glossary which explains words or medical terms you may hear or read in information about anaesthesia.
Anaesthetist in theatre making notes

External patient resources
Information from external organisations which has not been produced or written by the College but which we think you may find helpful.
Feedback from patients and carers

Feedback on our patient resources
Did you find what you were looking for? Let us know what you think of our resources and what else we could provide to help. Please take a few minutes to complete our questionnaire.
Hello pattern - hero

Patient information translations
Translations of our patient information leaflets, produced in partnership with the international translation charity Translators without Borders.
Anaesthetist in theatre desktop

Information for healthcare professionals
Details about using our patient information and resources in your own hospital leaflets and professional printing information.
Anaesthesia and the environment

Your anaesthetic and the environment
Information about how anaesthetic gases affect the environment

Disclaimer for RCoA patient information

Please note that these resources have been prepared to provide patients with general information only (and must not be used for any commercial or business purposes). The information contained in these leaflets is not intended to amount to advice (whether medical or other) on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information set out in this leaflet. If you have any queries in relation to any medical procedure (including your anaesthetic), you should contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional.

Although we make reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information in these resources, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the information is accurate, complete or up to date. We do not exclude or limit in any way our liability to you where it would be unlawful to do so.

See our list of authors and contributors who have been involved in the development and review of our patient information resources.

Authors and contributors