Each year on 16 October, National Anaesthesia Day recognises the vital role anaesthetists play in supporting patients through surgery and other medical procedures.

The day marks the first successful public demonstration of ether anaesthesia in Boston in 1846, a defining moment that transformed surgery by making it possible to perform procedures without pain.

Over the past 180 years, anaesthesia has evolved into a broad medical specialty focused on the safety, comfort and wellbeing of patients before, during and after surgery.

At Northern Health, the Department of Anaesthesia, Perioperative Medicine and Pain provides care across Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital and Kilmore District Hospital. The team supports Northern Health’s elective and emergency surgical services, as well as endoscopy, interventional radiology, cardiology, electroconvulsive therapy and other procedural services.

While anaesthetists are often associated with “putting patients to sleep”, their role extends well beyond administering an anaesthetic.

Before a procedure, anaesthetists assess each patient’s health, identify and help manage potential risks, answer questions and develop an individualised anaesthetic and perioperative care plan. During the procedure, they continuously monitor the patient, manage their airway and support vital organ function. Their care continues after surgery through recovery and pain management.

The department also provides the Acute Pain Service, which supports patients experiencing pain following surgery, trauma or acute illness. Through specialist medical and nursing assessment, the service develops individualised pain-management plans and provides ongoing review in collaboration with each patient’s treating team.

Anaesthetists also work alongside colleagues in Northern Health’s Emergency Departments and Intensive Care Units, providing airway management and resuscitation support for acutely unwell patients.

For many patients, meeting an anaesthetist occurs at a particularly vulnerable time. Delivering safe anaesthetic care requires not only medical knowledge and technical skill, but also clear communication, sound judgement and compassion.

Jake Geertsema, Director, Department of Anaesthesia, Perioperative Medicine and Pain, said relieving pain and supporting patients through vulnerable moments remained at the heart of the specialty.

“Relieving pain and suffering remains fundamental to what we do, but modern anaesthesia extends well beyond the operating theatre. We care for patients before, during and after surgery, taking responsibility for their safety and wellbeing at what can be a particularly vulnerable time.”

This National Anaesthesia Day, Northern Health recognises its specialist anaesthetists, GP anaesthetists, trainees, junior medical staff, specialist Pain Nurses, pharmacists and administrative staff, as well as the many nursing, surgical, procedural and clinical teams who work together to deliver safe, high-quality care.

Pictured in featured image (L-R):  A/Prof David Pescod AO and Dr Asavari Bhagwat, Consultant, Anaesthetics.