Life Support 

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Life Support: Anaesthetists

Life Support

Anaesthetists

BBC Radio 4 - Life Support, Anaesthetists

Two anaesthetists swap notes on the realities of working in healthcare then and now.

Two anaesthetists, at different stages of careers, meet for the first time to discuss what working in hospitals used to be like in the past, compared to how it is now.

Two people at different stages of their careers, meet for the first time to share and contrast their experiences of working in the health service.  Revealing and surprising insights emerge as the participants compare the pressures of the past with those we hear so much about today.  In this episode we hear from two anaesthetists. The profession is largest group of doctors working in hospitals. As well as putting patients to sleep during operations, you’ll find them working in intensive care units, in accident and emergency and administering epidural pain relief for mothers in labour wards.  Mike, a semi-retired consultant anaesthetist, talks about what he describes as the dangerously long hours he used to do as a junior doctor working non-stop from Friday evening to Monday morning.  Registrar anaesthetist Giovanna is pleased those extended on call weekend shifts are a thing of the past. However, she shares her frustrations as she feels hospitals are struggling to make progress dealing with the huge surgical waiting lists, built up during the pandemic.

Produced by Matt Toulson and Nick Holland
Editor: Clare Fordham
Sound: Graham Puddifoot
Production Coordinators Sabine Schereck and Maria Ogundele

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Documentaries

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Two health workers swap notes on the realities of working in health and social care today.

Two health workers, one newly qualified and one soon to retire, swap notes on the realities of working in the health and social care sector today compared to the past.

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