The National Clinical Programme for Anaesthesia (NCPA) aims to ensure patients get safe and quality care.

Its goal is to improve:

• patient safety
• quality of care
• access to services
• support to consultants

NCPA works together with other Clinical Programmes, including:

• Critical Care Programme
• Surgery Programme
• Trauma and Orthopaedics Programme
• National Women and Infants Health Programme
• Interventional Radiology Programme

National Clinical Programme for Anaesthesia aims:

The NCPA is currently working to continue to support the delivery of Certificate in Clinical Preassessment for Nurses and Midwives, delivered by South East Technological University in Waterford

National Anaesthesia Recovery Room Care for Nurses and Midwives Education Programme

NCPA created a Level 8 education programme. It is designed for registered nurses and midwives who want to learn the fundamentals of anaesthesia and post anaesthesia care.

This programme is currently delivered by Technological University Shannon.

National Perioperative Patient Pathway Enhancement Programme (NPPPEP)

This programme takes a close look at how we use our operating theatres in our hospitals. It is part of a broader national strategy to improve scheduled care.

It is supported by the:

• Office of the Chief Clinical Officer
• HSE
• RCSI
• National Clinical Programmes for Surgery and Anaesthesia

Each hospital has a Medical and Nursing Programme lead who plays an important communication role.

They:

• give feedback on draft documents shared by the NCPA
• keep them informed about local developments
• help raise the profile of the NCPA