Report Highlights Impact of Anaesthetist Shortages on NHS Operations

A new report from the Royal College of Anaesthetists has estimated that a shortage of around 2,250 anaesthetists across the UK is preventing up to 1.5 million operations and procedures from taking place each year.

The College’s UK State of the Nation Report 2026 says the current workforce is around 16% below the level needed to meet demand. It warns that the shortage is affecting operating theatres, maternity services, intensive care units and pain management services, where anaesthetists play a vital role in patient care.

According to the report, nearly nine in ten clinical leaders surveyed said surgery is sometimes postponed because there are not enough anaesthetists available, with 43% reporting that delays occur on a daily or weekly basis. The report also highlights that the shortage has increased despite growth in the number of practising anaesthetists over recent years.

The Royal College of Anaesthetists says the workforce gap is being driven by a combination of increasing demand for services, limited training places and challenges retaining experienced staff. It is calling for an expansion of funded anaesthetic training posts and measures to improve workforce retention as part of future NHS workforce planning.

The report concludes that addressing anaesthetic workforce shortages will be important to increasing NHS capacity and reducing waiting times, as most surgical procedures cannot take place without an anaesthetist.

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