Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists

16/10/2026

We hope you’ve enjoyed your National Anaesthesia Day celebrations as much as we have!

To end the day, here’s ANZCA President Dr Tanya Selak with a guide on how to pronounce “anaesthetist” – maybe you know someone who would find it helpful! 😉

Keep sharing photos from the day – we love seeing what you got up to!

16/10/2026

Anaesthetists – today is your day! ANZCA National Anaesthesia Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on the amazing specialty that is anaesthesia, which is one of the greatest discoveries of modern medicine. Many of today’s operations, especially for the very young, very old or very ill would not be possible without it. These anaesthetists tell us what keeps them passionate about anaesthesia.

Thank you to our wonderful interviewees, who were participants in ANZCA’s 2026 Emerging Leaders Conference and volunteered to be part of this campaign.

Make sure you use in any social media posts so that we can share them. You can also email your photos to [email protected]. Who knows – you and your colleagues might be featured in the next Bulletin!

15/10/2026

In celebration of ANZCA National Anaesthesia Day today, we’re launching this explainer video on fasting before surgery, which aims to help patients understand what they can and can’t eat or drink before an operation.

ANZCA’s latest guidelines on fasting (which also include information for patients who use GLP-1 receptor agonists or other peptides) have informed this video as well as our new patient fact sheets and posters.

We hope these resources are valuable for you and your patients. Give the explainer a watch and find our other fasting resources here: www.anzca.edu.au/fasting

Happy National Anaesthesia Day! Make sure to tag us in your posts today so we can share them!

15/10/2026

Australia and New Zealand are two of the safest places in the world to have an anaesthetic – even so, going in for surgery can be a daunting experience for many patients and their loved ones. Anaesthetists play a big role in reassuring patients before and after surgery. In this video, find out how some of our fellows let their patients know they’re in safe hands under the care of an anaesthetist.

Thank you to our wonderful interviewees, who were participants in ANZCA’s 2026 Emerging Leaders Conference.

Only one more sleep until ANZCA National Anaesthesia Day! Join us to celebrate anaesthetists around Australia and New Zealand: https://bit.ly/4i9lngy

14/10/2026

Anaesthetists are highly qualified specialist doctors with more than 12 years of medical training. And clinical expertise is just one aspect of an anaesthetist’s role – communication skills, compassion, teamwork, cultural competency and decision-making are also integral. In this video, hear from some of our fellows about what makes a good anaesthetist.

Thank you to our wonderful interviewees, who were participants in ANZCA’s 2026 Emerging Leaders Conference.

Join us to celebrate ANZCA National Anaesthesia Day on Friday 16 October – it’s just around the corner! https://bit.ly/4i9lngy

13/10/2026

So… what does an anaesthetist actually do? Nine anaesthetists tell us in their own words: https://bit.ly/4s3G5C2

Thank you to our wonderful interviewees, who were participants in ANZCA’s 2026 Emerging Leaders Conference.

We’re counting down the days until ANZCA National Anaesthesia Day. Join us on Friday 16 October to celebrate the incredible specialty and people of anaesthesia. We can help you with your celebrations – find resources here: https://bit.ly/4i9lngy

12/10/2026

Are you ready for National Anaesthesia Day on Friday 16 October? It’s fast approaching! Celebrate all things anaesthesia (and anaesthetists!) by organising a morning tea, a foyer display, or some creative social media posts ( ).

If you’re a NAD champion, your champion pack has been sent out. If you forgot to sign up as a champion this year, don’t worry – you can also visit our website, which has plenty of resources to download and print, including our 2026 "You're in safe hands" posters, our patient information fact sheets, children's activity sheets, and our brand new posters and fact sheets on fasting. You can also find videos to play on foyer and waiting room screens. Find everything you need for NAD here: https://bit.ly/4i9lngy

12/10/2026

Nominations are now open for the Steuart Henderson Award, which is awarded to those who have made outstanding contribution, scholarship, and mentorship to medical education in the fields of anaesthesia and/or pain medicine.

Dr Lahiru Amaratunge and Associate Professor Paul Wrigley were the 2026 recipients. Here they chat about their work in education and how others can get involved.

Find out more and submit a nomination by 15 November here: https://bit.ly/4eumyoz

Dr Lahiru Amaratunge and Associate Professor Paul Wrigley are the 2...

10/10/2026

Professor Kate Leslie AO FAHMS, a past president of ANZCA, has been appointed editor-in-chief of the British Journal of Anaesthesia (BJA), making her the first Australian in the role. Read more about Professor Leslie’s appointment here: bit.ly/4yf4LZQ

09/10/2026

The Spring edition of the ANZCA Bulletin is out now! In this edition: Anaesthetist becomes patient after cancer diagnosis; essential pain medicine lists created; the next generation of anaesthesia researchers; and much more. Read all about it here: https://bit.ly/4dNFwGH