Objective The Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland exists to further the clinical and research aspects of the specialty. Members are drawn from every type of hospital both in the UK and Ireland, and from further overseas. Members of the Association are also active in the fields of acute and chronic pain management, and paediatric intensive care. The Association has two meetings a year, one scientific and one for linkmen.

History and aims The Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britian and Ireland was formed in 1973 by a small group of UK based paediatric anaesthetists. Its aims are to promote high standards in the specialty through education and research. It advises other professional bodes on anaesthesia for children.

Membership Full Membership is open to all consultant anaesthetists with a stated interest in paediatric anaesthesia. Affiliate membership is open to UK based staff and associate Specialist anaesthetists and Trainee Membership is open to UK and Ireland based specialist registrars. Trainee Membership will be reviewed after 5 years. All applications must be supported by an existing full APA Member. The APA has a current membership of 1000 including an overseas body. Members enjoy a reduced subscription to the journal Paediatric Anaesthesia .

Meetings The Annual Scientific Meeting is held in May each year in the UK or Ireland over 2 or 3 days. Free paper and poster presentations form an important part of this meeting and an annual prize is awarded for the best paper presented by an anaesthetist in training. All papers submitted are reviewed by a scientific sub-committee. The meeting is accompanied by a lively social programme and the Annual General Meeting. The APA supports and jointly organises a number of international meetings of Paediatric Anaesthesia.  

Education and research The APA sponsors lecturers to attend paediatric anaesthetic meetings in Europe and beyond. It has recently supported the development of a research fund from which grants are awarded on an annual basis. Abstracts from the Annual Scientific Meeting are published in Paediatric Anaesthesia.  

Interdepartmental Peer Review A system of interdepartmental visits was piloted in 1999 and continues between the major UK children's hospitals. The aim is to recognise and promote good practice. It is hoped that such a system can be extended to include paediatric anaesthetists in university and district general hospital departments.