Delegation in paediatric anaesthesia: a postal survey

Background: We wished to determine a consensus view from UK paediatric anae sthetic consultants of what practical skills are safe and appropriate for a n anaesthetic trainee to perform during an initial 3-month module in paedia tric anaesthesia. Methods: A postal survey was sent to all UK and Ireland members of the Asso ciation of Paediatric Anaesthetists (APA). This questionnaire was designed to determine which tasks were delegated to trainee anaesthetists. Two hundr ed and four questionnaires were despatched, replies were received from 165 consultant anaesthetists (80% response rate). Results: More than 50% of the APA respondents would always or regularly all ow an anaesthetic trainee in their first 3-month module ia paediatric anaes thesia to perform; an ilioinguinal block, a penile block and a caudal (but not in a neonate). Conclusions: Anaesthetic registrars undertaking an initial module in paedia tric anaesthesia should learn basic airway management, ilioinguinal blocks, penile blocks and caudals (but not neonatal caudals).