Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists

The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) is the professional organisation for about 6400 specialist anaesthetists (Fellows) and 1500 anaesthetists in training (trainees). One of Australasia's largest specialist medical colleges, ANZCA, along with its Faculty of Pain Medicine, is responsible for the training, examination and specialist accreditation of anaesthetists and pain medicine specialists and for the standards of clinical practice in Australia and New Zealand. The College also plays a significant role in the advancement of anaesthesia in south-east Asia and South Pacific island countries.

ANZCA is governed by the ANZCA Council and employs specialist staff to help achieve its goals. ANZCA offers several awards and medals to reward achievements in the advancement and promotion of anaesthesia, anaesthesia training and pain management. ANZCA, which includes the Faculty of Pain Medicine, was formed in February 1992 after 40 years operating as a Faculty of Anaesthetists within the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Its function is to cultivate and maintain the highest principles and standards in the training, practice and ethics of anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and pain medicine. To assist the ANZCA Council in achieving its objectives, the College engages professional and administrative staff located at ANZCA House, in the New Zealand national office, and in state and territory regional offices. The Faculty of Pain Medicine assists the ANZCA Council to achieve these objectives in the area of pain medicine.

The ANZCA Constitution sets out the form, reasons for and purpose of the College. It defines the objectives of the College and lists the powers vested in the corporate entity to achieve those objectives. The constitution describes the operations of the College, including definitions, membership, composition and functioning of the ANZCA Council, and elections to the council. It also covers operational areas including the powers of the council, admission of Fellows, postal ballots, subscriptions, cessation of membership, discipline, reinstatement and indemnity.

ANZCA's mission is "to serve the community by fostering safety and high quality patient care in anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and pain medicine". From the mission flows three major objectives:

• To promote professional standards and patient safety in anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and pain medicine.
• To promote education in anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and pain management.
• To advance the science and practice of anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and pain management.

The ANZCA Strategic Plan 2018-2022 concentrates on the development of emerging initiatives and activities. The substantive “business as usual” work of fellows, trainees and staff will continue unabated.
There are four main goals that are supported by key strategies and with evaluation embedded in a section on “how we will measure success”. The plan was approved by ANZCA Council at its November 2017 meeting. The Faculty of Pain Medicine has also developed and launched its FPM Strategic Plan 2018-2022. These strategic plans define the college's direction over five years and is an integral part of our response to the long-term challenges faced by the professions.