On Friday 22 May 2026, the West Midlands Paediatric Anaesthetic Network (PAN), in partnership with Partners in Paediatrics, hosted a highly successful Paediatric Anaesthesia for the General Anaesthetist Study Day at thestudio, Birmingham.

Bringing together consultants, SAS grades, trainees, fellows and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, the event provided a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, explore challenges and strengthen collaboration across paediatric peri-operative care.

A Day of Expert Insight

The programme featured a wide range of expert-led sessions covering key areas in paediatric anaesthesia. Highlights from the day included:

• A thought-provoking case discussion: “When Asthma Isn’t Asthma”
• Practical guidance on human factors in difficult airway management
• Updates on paediatric resuscitation training
• A medico-legal perspective on consent in paediatric anaesthesia
• A presentation from the PAN Trainee Prize winner, focusing on improving children’s surgical experiences

The afternoon sessions continued with valuable updates, including:

• Insights from the PaediCRID West Midlands Incidents & Excellence Report
• Discussion of common challenges in paediatric pre-operative assessment
• Interactive talks addressing clinical challenges in District General Hospital settings, including IV access, primary transfers and pre-operative sedation

Supporting Safer Paediatric Care

The study day was designed to:

• Provide educational updates, guidance and best practice sharing
• Encourage discussion of complex clinical cases and real-world challenges
• Promote solutions for delivering safe paediatric care in both elective and emergency settings
• Strengthen collaboration across organisations to ensure a safe and sustainable paediatric anaesthesia service

Networking and Collaboration

Alongside the educational programme, delegates benefited from dedicated networking opportunities, enabling clinicians from across the region to connect, exchange ideas and build professional relationships.

Thank You

We would like to thank all of our speakers, organisers, and attendees for contributing to such an engaging and impactful event. Special thanks to Dr Kate Thomas (PiP Chair) and colleagues across PAN and Partners in Paediatrics for organising and supporting the day.

Get Involved

If you attended the study day, we encourage you to share your feedback to help shape future events.