Joint RA-UK and APAGBI statement on NRFit in caudal anaesthesia
RAUK and the APAGBI have released a statement on the use of soft fit needle over cannula devices in caudal anaesthesia. The pending transition to NRFit devices has not addressed this gap in the manufactured ranges of these, and this statement identifies the risks trusts should consider. We support the ongoing use of soft fit cannulae for caudals until such time as there is a suitable NRFit device on the market. You can read the statement here.
New joint RA-UK/RCoA curriculum assessment guidance
RA-UK are delighted to announce
new guidance for trainers, developed jointly with the RCoA, which will help support residents in their efforts meet the regional anaesthesia capabilities outlined in the 2021 curriculum. This guidance is designed to be used in situations where clinical training opportunities for a specific regional anaesthetic technique are limited.
The guidance allows SLEs to be undertaken in a non-clinical situation. Knowledge and skills relevant to a particular block may be assessed if the resident has previously demonstrated satisfactory clinical performance in a related block at the same stage of training.
The guidance provides a straightforward process for trainers to follow and examples of evidence that could contribute to HALO sign-off at each stage of the curriculum.
We have produced the guidance to increase fairness and ensure all residents have the opportunity to meet curriculum capabilities, recognising that evidence shows the availability of clinical training opportunities varies across the UK.
RA-UK App
The RA-UK App is now live.
For those of you who have already received an acitvation email, please go ahead and log in to the app using those details. The links to download it are on our homepage.
For those who havent received an activation email, try logging in with your email (that you provided to RA-UK on joining, or which you receive our newsletter to) and using the password reset function.
If you see user not found, this will be due to a number of reasons 1) You are not a member 2) You are using a different email to the one provided to RA-UK 3) You have only recently joined and we have yet to activate your app user account. For these, and any other queries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let us know.
Paeds Plan A Subsite
We are pleased to announce, in association with APAGBI and ESPA, our brand new comprehensive we resource for Paediatric Plan A blocks. Following on from the posters and editorial, this section of the website contains a wealth of information on how to perform the 7 Plan A paediatric blocks. A host of brand new images and videos have been created, with more artwork to follow.
We hope you will enjoy this new area of the website.
NAP8
RA-UK was pleased that the RCoA has announced that NAP8 will be looking at complications of Regional Anaesthesia. We feel this is a hugely important topic to look at, and look forward to helping run it and to see the results.
In even more exciting news, it has been announced that our immediate past president Prof Alan MacFarlane was appointed to lead this National Audit. After so much behind the scenes work over a number of years, this is a well deserved recognition of his efforts (although he will say the hard work starts here I'm sure).
Further details can be found at the RCoA website.
