Past, present and future:
the Association of
Anaesthetists turns 90
Henry Walter Featherstone,
Howard Jones, Ramsay Phillips,
Henry Boyle, Zebulon Mennell
and Claude Woodham Morris
met in January 1932 to discuss
the prospect of an independent
body for anaesthetists. All agreed
that anaesthetists must “…possess
an autonomous body of their
own, free from integration with
the BMA, the Royal College of
Surgeons [of England], the Society
of Apothecaries or other self-governing
medical institutions.”
A preliminary meeting with 16 leading anaesthetists was held on
27 April 1932. Five resolutions were passed, one of which was
to form an association of anaesthetists which would be called
the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.
A provisional Council was elected, with Henry Featherstone as
President.
Henry Walter Featherstone
On 1 July 1932, around 50 invited members met for the
inaugural General Meeting. The proposal to form the Association
was passed, and the resolutions discussed in April were refined
to form the objectives of the Association:
- to promote the development of this branch of medicine
- to co-ordinate the activities of anaesthetists
- to represent anaesthetists and promote their interests
- to favour the establishment of a Diploma in Anaesthetics
- to encourage friendship amongst anaesthetists
There have been many achievements over these 90 years. The
Diploma in Anaesthetics (DA), the first formal qualification in
anaesthesia was established in 1935. The Association launched
its own peer-reviewed journal Anaesthesia on 1 October 1946.
The publication of safety guidelines and handbooks, and the
establishment of the Safety Committee in 1974, informed
members on matters such as pollution of operating theatres,
electrical safety, and the wellbeing and safety of anaesthetists
themselves. The Association provides professional development
opportunities to its members through its seminars and
conference programmes. The establishment of the International
Relations Committee (IRC) has enabled ‘friendship amongst
anaesthetists.’
To commemorate our 90th birthday, we’re planning a number
of celebratory activities. The temporary exhibition at the
Anaesthesia Heritage Centre will be 90th themed, as will a series
of events across the year. The July edition of Anaesthesia News
will be given over to the anniversary, so you can look forward to
articles such as ‘the SAS Story’, contributions from trainees who
will reflect on how the Association helped and supported them,
and what’s next for the Association.
As we look forward to the next 90 years and beyond, we remain
here to work on your behalf. Our main themes at present are
around workforce, wellbeing and trainees. Linking the past and
future is essential, not just to avoid making the same mistakes
(yes, like everyone else we haven’t always got it right), but to
demonstrate that the original ideals around safety, education
and fellowship are just as relevant now as in 1932.
How you can be involved in
the celebrations
If you would like to tell us what the Association means to you,
we would love to hear from you in this
short survey or email us at
[email protected]. We will be using any responses
in various ways throughout the year.
Do you have a creative streak? Take part in our competition,
Reflect and respond. Your submission should reflect what the
Association means to you. This could be a poem, cartoon,
collage, illustration, or photograph. The prize is a £200
discount on your Annual Congress ticket. If the winning
submission is in written form, the entrant will be invited to
read their winning entry at Congress. To find out more or
submit your entry, email [email protected] by 30 June 2022.
Mike Nathanson
President, Association of Anaesthetists
Caroline Hamson
Heritage Manager, Association of Anaesthetists
Twitter: @Anaes_Heritage