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The anaesthetic service across Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals has achieved national accreditation for the quality of its care.

Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA), run by the Royal College of Anaesthetists, recognises departments that meet rigorous standards for safe, high-quality anaesthetic services.

It’s a voluntary accreditation programme that assesses anaesthetic services against more than 150 standards and requires evidence that each standard is being met.

The department has been working towards accreditation over a number of years but has built on this groundwork with an intensive programme over the past two years. This included gathering evidence and making improvements across the three hospital sites.

A Royal College assessment team carried out a three-day visit in March 2026, meeting anaesthetists, residents, theatre staff and other colleagues before reviewing services at each site.

The service met the vast majority of standards, with recommendations made in some areas. Further evidence was submitted for five standards before accreditation was confirmed.

Dr Vijay Venkatesh, Anaesthetics Consultant, led the accreditation work. He said: “It was a mammoth task and many people helped, both directly and indirectly.

“I am delighted we have achieved accreditation, which recognises the good work taking place across the department and the high standards of care we maintain.

“For patients, it provides reassurance that our anaesthetic service has been independently assessed and meets recognised quality standards.”

He said the accreditation would not only reassure patients about the quality of the service but would also be seen as a positive endorsement for people considering joining the department.

Around 90 anaesthetic consultants work across the three hospitals. Most work across all three sites, while a smaller number work at one or two. The achievement reflects the contribution of colleagues throughout the Trust.

The department will now receive an official plaque for all three hospitals from the Royal College to mark the achievement

It will continue to work with the college on its recommendations before undergoing a full reassessment in four years.

The anaesthetic department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham is currently going through the same accreditation process and hoping to succeed in the next few months.