Welsh School of Anaesthesia

ALL FACE TO FACE COURSES AND STUDY DAYS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

See E-learning page for details of recommended E-learning and useful educational resources for the Primary and Final FRCA exams and Post Fellowship CPD.

Induction Days

It is mandatory for all trainees to attend the relevant Welsh School Induction. The next induction day will be held as a webinar on:

• 7th September 2021 for all CT1 and ACCS starting in August 2021. Access the recording here.
  
• 7th September 2021 at 10:30 for all ST trainees commencing ST3 in August 2021. Access the recording here.
  

There are also "trainee led webinars" on the following dates:

• 9th September 2021 for CT1 & ACCS trainees delivered by Fran Teasdale and Sassa Hamilton. Access recording here.
  
• 15th September 2021 at 14:00 for ST3 Anaesthetic trainees delivered by Jen Myo and Ifan Patchell. Access recording here.
  

A series of panopto presentations have been created to support the induction days and can be accessed via the hyperlinks below. These presentations should be watched prior to attending the webinar on 7th September 2021.

Induction presentations for new CT1 trainees
Introduction to the Welsh School of Anaesthesia
Stage 1 Induction August 2021
The Generic Professional Curriculum
LLP induction for novices
New LLP accounts setup and guidance
Stage 1 Trainee Educational Resources
The Professional Support Unit
LLP preparation for ARCP
The primary FRCA exam webinar by Dr Haitem Maghur

Induction presentations for new ST3 trainees
Introduction to the Welsh School of Anaesthesia
Speciality Training in Anaesthetics
The Generic Professional Curriculum
LLP induction for ST3
New LLP accounts setup and guidance
Out of program training
Specialist Trainee Educational Resources
The Professional Support Unit
LLP preparation for ARCP
The Final FRCA exam webinar with Dr Simon Slinn

Primary FRCA Exam Teaching & Courses

Primary exam based teaching should be taking place in your local hospital (virtual or face to face depending on numbers). Please contact the following people if you are interested in attending web based virtual primary FRCA teaching sessions:
- Primary FRCA VIVA teaching at University Hospital of Wales is being organised and delivered by Dr Haitem Maghur. If you are keen to join in then please contact him Haitem.Maghur@wales.nhs.uk. Places will be limited.
- Paulo Antoniazzi, Gwen Howe and Emily Gott are conducting virtual primary teaching across Cwm Taf Morgannwg sites - all trainees are welcome to join in. Contact Paulo.Antoniazzi@wales.nhs.uk and/or gwenllian.howe@gmail.com for details.

All Wales Anaesthetics Basic Sciences (AWABS)
AWABS is usually delivered as a regular face to face regional teaching programme and is currently organised by Dr Mark Burtonwood (Consultant Anaesthetist Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend). Due to COVID-19 restrictions the AWABS programme will be run as a series of half day webinars. The dates and organising hospital are shown below. More details can be found here.

• 7th September 2021 (09:00-10:00) via MS Teams. Welcome and Q & A. Teams Link
  
• 23rd September 2021 (afternoon) via MS Teams. Local anaesthetics; Sterilisation, cleaning and decontamination; Gut physiology. Teams link
  
• 6th October 2021 (morning) via MS Teams. Vaporisers and inhalational agents; Electricity, capacitors and defibrillators; Cell receptors and ion channels. Teams link
  
• 18th October 2021 (morning) via MS Teams. Statistics; Pressure, force and their measurement; TIVA and compartment models. Teams link
  
• 2nd November 2021 (morning) via MS Teams. Enzymes and nuclear receptors; Renal physiology; Anaesthesia and the environment. Teams link
  
• 17th November 2021 (morning) via MS Teams. Blood constituents, transfusion and cell salvage; Opiates and analgesics; Glucose control and diabetes. Teams link
  
• 30th November 2021 (morning) via MS Teams. IV anaesthetic agents; Liver physiology and portal circulation; Flow, density, Venturi and Bernoulli effects. Teams link
  
• 15th December 2021 (morning) via MS Teams. Drug/receptor interaction, agonists antagonists, potency etc; Nutrition and metabolism, Krebs cycle; Oxygen therapy, delivery, toxicity. Teams link
  

Some AWABs lecture content is archived as video lectures below:

Physiology

• Capillary dynamics and interstitial fluids
  
• Pain pathways and pain pathophysiology
  
• Neurophysiology
  
• The cardiac cycle
  
• Muscle physiology by Dr Paul Carter, April 2021
  
• Myopathies br Dr Paulo Antoniazzi, April 2021
  
• Capillary dynamics and interstitial fluids by Dr Tony Funnell, April 2021
  
• Nerve physiology by Dr Gordon Leslie, May 2021
  
• Respiratory mechanics by Dr Nick Mason, May 2021
  
• Obesity by Dr Fitzgerald, June 2021
  
• Physiology of pregnancy, July 2021
  
• Mechanical ventilation by Dr Kalman, July 2021
  

Physics

• Interference
  
• Laser & anaesthesia
  
• Inductors, capacitors & transformers by Dr Cat Griffiths, May 2021
  
• Inductors, capacitors & transformers
  
• Blood pressure and cardiac output measurement by Dr Max Kamath, June 2021
  
• Electricity & Magnetism by Dr Lewys Richmond, June 2021
  
• Respiratory gas analysis by Dr Matt Short, June 2021
  

Pharmacology

• Analgesics by Dr Sunil Dasari, May 2021
  
• Mechanisms of drug action
  
• Anticoagulants and antiplatelets by Dr Val Hilton, June 2021
  
• CVS drugs by Dr Tom lawson, June 2021
  
• Antimicrobials, drugs that effect the eye and social drugs by Dr Tom Bird, July 2021
  

MCQs & SBAs

• MCQs & SBAs by Dr Mark Burtonwood, April 2021
  
• Primary FRCA exam practice by Dr Linda Chan, June 2021
  
• MCQs & SBAs by Dr Dafydd Evans, June 2021
  
• Primary exam & SBA practice, July 2021
  

SWAC - Primary FRCA Anaesthetic Course
This course is held 3 times each year, just prior to the Primary SOE/OSCE sitting in Cardiff. It is normally run as a face to face course, but in light of COVID it is run via Zoom. The next course will be May 5th 2021. For further information please contact the course organisers at SwacprimaryFRCA@gmail.com.

Final FRCA Exam Teaching & Courses

Final exam based teaching should be taking place in your local hospital (virtual or face to face depending on numbers). Regular finals regional teaching occurs in Newport, Swansea and Cardiff. We would like to see a flexible approach to where & when you attend to receive maximum benefit from the teaching available across South Wales. Please contact relevant Lead Consultants for Final FRCA in each hospital if you would like to attend:

• Cardiff - "virtual" Finals teaching (usually on Wednesday mornings via zoom). Contact Sarah.Bell3@wales.nhs.uk or simon.slinn@wales.nhs.uk for information on this weekly teaching.
  
• Swansea (Thursday) - Stuart.Jenkins@wales.nhs.uk
  
• Newport (Friday) - Victor.Francis@wales.nhs.uk
  
• North Wales: a regular regional teaching programme is in place, please contact the College Tutors at Betsi Cadwaladr UHB for further information.
  

Welsh Anaesthetics Finals Teaching (WAFT)
WAFT run free study days to help prepare candidates for the Final FRCA written exam. The focus will be on "hot topics" and exam-specific question practice, complimenting the extensive specialty-specific content already available on the Welsh school website. These days will be delivered as face to face 2-day courses shortly before each written exam date.

The next WAFT course will be held on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th February 2022 in the Grange Education Centre, the Grange University Hospital, NP44 8YN

Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia for the Final FRCA held on 3rd March 2021. See presentation recordings below:

• Cardiothoracic CRQs by Dr Cat Griffiths
  
• Cardiothoracic SBAs
  
• Giving a cardiac anaesthetic by Dr Jon Hall
  
• Adult congenital heart disease by Dr Rich Thomas
  
• Mechanical circulatory support by Jody Stafford
  
• Cardiopulmonary bypass by Jody Stafford
  
• Double lumen tubes and one lung ventilation by Dr Rob Abel
  

Neuroanaesthesia for the Final FRCA held on 23rd April 2021. See presentation recordings below:

• Neuromuscular disorders and spinal cord injury by Dr Alex Kennedy
  
• Neuroanaesthesia exam tips by Dr Nitin Bhalla
  
• SAH, anaesthesia and the neuro-radiology suite by Dr Jyothi Srinivas
  
• Anaesthesia for transphenoidal pituitary surgery by Dr Gowthaman
  
• Awake craniotomy, past, present and future by Dr Gowthaman
  
• Depth of anaesthesia by Dr Gowthaman
  
• Neuroanaesthesia CRQ & SBA practice by Dr Max Kamath
  

Paediatrics for the Final FRCA held on 13th May 2021via MS teams. See presentation recordings below:

• WAFT paediatric anaesthesia day introduction and exam tips by Dr Cat Griffiths
  
• Paediatric SBAs by Dr Jonathan Lloyd Evans
  
• Caudal anaesthesia by Dr Cat Griffiths
  
• The sick child by Dr Jayne Sutherland
  
• Congenital heart disease by Dr Simon Slinn
  
• Anaesthesia for paediatric general surgery by Dr Gordon Leslie
  

Pain for the Final FRCA 19th May from 9am via MS Teams.

Obstetrics for the Final FRCA July 2021 via MS Teams

• Cardiac disease in pregnancy by Dr Mike Adamson
  
• Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy by Dr Jenna Stevens
  
• Post dural puncture headache by Dr Rhys Volk
  
• The Obstetric airway by Dr Dan Helme
  
• Non obstetric surgery in pregnancy by Dr Dan Helme
  
• Twins, obesity and the Jehovah's Witness in pregnancy by Dr Lucy Stacey
  

Please email WAFTeaching@gmail.com for more details.

SWAC - Final FRCA Intensive Viva Course
An intensive day of Final Viva practice - It is open to all trainee anaesthetists planning to sit the Final FRCA exam. It is normally run face to face but in light of COVID it is being run via Zoom. The next course date is Wednesday 17th November 2021. For more information please contact Dr Simon Slinn, simon.slinn@wales.nhs.uk.

Post Fellowship Teaching

A programme of post-fellowship teaching days are normally arranged approximately 6 times per year. The Welsh School strongly encourages trainees to contribute to the organisation of at least one teaching day during their higher training. An interesting and varied programme of topics aims to prepare trainees for their consultant careers. The post fellowship teaching days are co-ordinated at present by Dr Steph Wallis and Dr Cat Griffiths. Due to COVID-19, PFSDs will be delivered "virtually" via webinars for the foreseeable future. Provisional plans are for:

Paediatrics for SR 10th March 2021

Sustainability in Anaesthesia 29th April 2021 09:30 on MS teams.

Anaesthesia for Major General Surgery 17th May 2021on MS teams. See presentation recordings below:

• Anaesthesia for major general surgery by Dr Barbara Bahlmann
  
• Anaesthesia for pancreatic transplant surgery by Dr Paul Carter
  
• Anaesthesia for gynaecology-oncology surgery by Dr Ceri Beynon
  
• Upper GI surgery by Mr Guy Blackshaw
  
• Anaesthesia for Renal Transplant by Dr Sarah Harries
  

Non theatre anaesthesia 23rd June 2021 on MS teams. See presentation recordings below:

• Anaesthesia for ECT by Dr Magdi Shafik
  
• Paediatric non theatre anaesthesia by Dr Gordon Leslie
  
• Anaesthesia for Interventional Radiology by Dr Chris Williams
  
• Anaesthesia in the Cardiac catheter laboratory by Dr Niv Patel
  

Major Trauma 24th August 2021 on MS teams. See presentation recordings below:

• Introduction to Major Trauma by Dr Crawford Deane
  
• Spinal Precautions and Injuries by Mr N Moideen
  
• Advanced Training in Major Trauma by Dr Tom Roberts
  
• Coagulopathy in Major Trauma by Dr Thomas Kitchen
  
• Rehab in the Major Trauma Centre by Dr Jav Haider
  

Perioperative Medicine 21st September 2021. See presentation recordings below:

• Pre-operative Liver IMT Pilot by Lucy Wyatt
  
• POPS - Building a New Service by Dr Nia Humphry
  
• Perioperative Medicine within Oesophagectomies by Dr Catherine Britton-Jones
  
• The Management of Perioperative Anaemia by Dr Charlotte Oliver
  
• Making Every Contact Count by Matha-Jane Powell
  
• Cardiology and Non-Cardiac Surgery by Dr Jason O'Neill
  
• Diabetes Management in Surgical Patients by Dr Zubair Ullah
  

ICU Updates 15th October 2021
Research Methods 4th November 2021
If you email pfsdwales@gmail.com you can request to be added to the mailing list (for regular updates future dates & venues) or you can express interest in organising a future study day.

Trainees in North Wales may also attend the Merseyside teaching.

Pain Study Day

Pain Study Days are held on a regular basis to complement the RCoA training curriculum. The course organiser is Dr Shefali Kadambande, Consultant in Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine, Cardiff

Welsh Journal Club

Welsh journal club is held at 12:30pm on the first Tuesday of every month via MS teams. The meeting is open to all Wales trainees and the meeting invite is distributed to all by HEIW. The programmes is currently organised by Dr Shamila Khot and Dr Anna Roberts. Anyone keen to present should contact Dr Anna Roberts at Anna5084@doctors.org.uk.

Other Courses & Events

Educational Supervisors Update Day
This year's Welsh School of Anaesthetics ES/NCS Study Day was held on 10th December 2020 as a webinar. Video recording is available on request.

Return to Clinical Anaesthesia
A one day course designed to provide workshops and simulation scenarios relevant to work in anaesthetics. Suitable for those who have taken time out of clinical work and are planning their return to practice. The next course includes:

• Workshops - paediatrics, airway and TIVA.
  
• Multiple simulation scenarios.
  
• Talk on LTFT matters.
  

For information on the next course date please contact Dr Catrin Maidment, catrinm@doctors.org.uk for further information.

Preparing for Consultant Selection.
A free course run by the deanery for final year trainees. The course is run several times a year.

Transfer Courses
All Wales Transfer Courses. For further details please contact Abigail.Taberner@wales.nhs.uk.

MEPA - Medical Emergencies in Paediatric Anaesthesia
This course is run every 3 months for trainees completing their higher/advanced paediatric anaesthesia module in Cardiff.
To book on the course contact gundyma@cf.ac.uk

Research Courses
The following programme of courses are available through the Cardiff Academic Department of Anaesthetics

• Introduction to Statistics
  
• Advanced Statistics
  
• Introduction to Research
  
• Clinical Innovation
  

For further details please contact gundyma@cf.ac.uk