Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 11/2/2011

Question
I am currently studying Biology,Chemistry,French and Maths at AS level at sixth form and I am interested in a career as an anaesthetist. However I am very unaware of the correct way to achieve my goal. I know it is a long process after a medicine degree but i was wondering if you could go through how you got to where you are now or at least the general system nowadays?

Answer
Hi Lucie
You could always organise to visit me at York Hospital!
The first hurdle is getting into Medicine and I assume you have already found out about that - if not I also have a colleague who provides good advice on this topic.
Once medical School is completed you need to complete 2 years as a Foundation Doctor. There are then several routes to anaesthesia but the straight forward one is to compete for core specialist traing post in anaesthesia which is for two years and then hopefully get onto a Higher Specialist Training Programme which is a further 4-5 years. This may sound a lot but really it isn't and always seems to fly past. You can get further details from the Royal College of Anaesthetists website (link below)
further details   
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson