Anaesthesia on Air

In this podcast, recorded at Anaesthesia 2025, host Dr Helgi Johannsson talks to retired anaesthetist Dr John Maginness. 

On 15 August 1998 a bomb was detonated in Omagh town centre, in Northern Ireland. John, who lived locally, was a member of the medical team who responded. John joined the panel discussion on the Omagh bombing at our 2025 Belfast annual conference and in this podcast, recorded in Belfast, John shares his recollections of that day in 1998. 

John discusses his and Helgi's shared personal experiences of terror attacks and major incidents, how responses have developed (and what has stayed the same), and John's appreciation for the professionalism and competence of the many allied health professionals who worked in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb.

Our Anaesthesia 2026 conference will take place in Brighton and online over three days in May 2026. If you want to hear from leaders in anaesthesia and get the latest insights and professional development book by 31 December to get 20% off. More details: Anaesthesia 2026 | The Royal College of Anaesthetists.

In this podcast, recorded at Anaesthesia 2025, host Dr Toni Brunning and guest speakers Dr Joe Lipton, Dr Joe Hogan,  Dr Hannah Headon, Dr Chris James and Dr Soumen Sen talk about the GPC (Generic Professional Capabilities) Hub, where the idea came from, and what others can learn through their experiences.

Our Anaesthesia 2026 flagship conference will take place in Brighton and online over three days in May 2026. Book by 31 December to get 20% off! More details: Anaesthesia 2026 | The Royal College of Anaesthetists

In this podcast, recorded at Anaesthesia 2025, Professor Anil Hormis and Dr Rosie Hogg talk about Nociception Monitoring. They discuss what nociception is, what the NOL monitor is and how it works.

Our Anaesthesia 2026 flagship conference will take place in Brighton and online over three days in May 2026. Book by 31 December to get 20% off! More details: Anaesthesia 2026 | The Royal College of Anaesthetists

In this episode of Anaesthesia on Air, former Dinwoodie Simulation fellow Dr Steffan Glaze, Professor Cristina Diaz-Navarro and Dr Ed Mellanby (simulation leads in Wales and Scotland, respectively) discuss simulation-based education in anaesthesia and the context in medical simulation around recent guidance from the College.

They share how they've developed their own work in simulation, how listeners can use recommendations in the guidance to improve and influence their own practices, and what future simulation faculty can do to develop their skills, and even apply an understanding of anaesthetic simulation to their work in novel ways.

In this episode of Anaesthesia on Air, past president of the RCoA Dr Fiona Donald talks to Dr James Nickells about his career in anaesthesia and critical care, and his rich hinterland in medical illustration, portrait art, and more, and how James has combined his clinical and outside interests over his career.  

Related information:

In this episode of Anaesthesia on Air,  we are re-publishing an archived episode by Dr Toni Brunning and Dr Lucinda Williams as they discuss clinician wellbeing with a focus on open-water and cold-water swimming,  including the physical and emotional benefits. The podcast explores how cold-water swimming can enhance circulation, boost the immune system, and increase endorphin production, leading to improved physical health. It delves into the mental health advantages, such as reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, and a sense of accomplishment associated with regular cold-water swimming. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-care among healthcare professionals and how engaging in activities like cold water swimming can contribute to overall well-being.

Related information:

CHILL – not for profit organisation who run cold water sessions across the country

Outdoor Swimming Society – organisation supporting safe outdoor swimming

In this special podcast episode, produced jointly with the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, Dr Danny Bryden, Dr Dale Gardiner and Dr Ian Thomas discuss when and how to diagnose death for the purposes of organ donation, and the implications of recent changes to guidance issued by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges for anaesthetists and intensivists.

Related information:

• 2025 Code of Practice for the diagnosis and confirmation of death  

In the second of a two-part podcast from the Centre for Perioperative Care and the Royal College of Anaesthetists former CPOC Fellow Dr Sam Moore and Dr Stuart Connal explore shared decision making - its definitions, usage, and many nuances in the interaction between clinicians and patients. 

This podcast features guests Dr Sam Finnikin, Dr Gemma Hughes, and Leila Finikarides, and is split into two separate episodes. Sam, Gemma, and Leila share their personal and professional perspectives on shared decision-making - its importance in the patient-clinician relationship, language, and even when the idea of a shared decision may be counterproductive. 

For ideas to benefit your own clinical practice, and for insights into the latest research and practices in this area, make sure you listen to both parts of this fascinating conversation. 

In this first of a two-part podcast from the Centre for Perioperative Care and the Royal College of Anaesthetists former CPOC Fellow Dr Sam Moore and Dr Stuart Connal explore shared decision making - its definitions, usage, and many nuances in the interaction between clinicians and patients. 

This podcast features guests Dr Sam Finnikin, Dr Gemma Hughes, and Leila Finikarides, and is split into two separate episodes. Sam, Gemma, and Leila share their personal and professional perspectives on shared decision-making - its importance in the patient-clinician relationship, language, and even when the idea of a shared decision may be counterproductive. 

For ideas to benefit your own clinical practice, and for insights into the latest research and practices in this area, make sure you listen to both parts of this fascinating conversation. Listen out for the second episode which will be released the following week. 

Following his presentation at our 2024 Winter Symposium, Professor Ketan Dhatariya discusses Obesity Metabolic Syndrome and diabetes in an engaging and wide-ranging conversation. 

In this podcast Ketan reflects on the possible false economy of limiting access to GLP-1 agonists, the need for a non-judgmental view of patients presenting with obesity, how an evolutionary viewpoint can usefully inform modern medicine, and just how tasty the woolly mammoths of Red Lion Square were.

Related information:

Perioperative Care of People with Diabetes Undergoing Surgery (The Centre for Perioperative Care)

Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity, The Lancet

Anaesthesia for the obese patient, BJA Education