Ashraf ElMahdy has qualified to become the trust’s first anaesthesia associate.

Ashraf trained as an operating department practitioner (ODP) in the trust, and after a few years at St Thomas’ Hospital in London he returned as Lead Theatre Practitioner in the Maidstone Orthopaedic Unit, at Maidstone Hospital.

Two years ago he started a Master’s degree and has just completed it, becoming an anaesthesia associate. His role will shortly be known as physician assistant in anaesthesia (PAA).

PAAs are skilled practitioners working in an anaesthetic team under the direction and supervision of an autonomously practising anaesthetist, such as a consultant or SAS doctor.

They work with the wider theatre and critical care teams and their role includes:

• reviewing patients before surgery and assessing them for anaesthesia
• taking a medical history and clinical assessment allowing for an anaesthesia plan to be created
• inducing, maintaining and waking up patients from anaesthesia under appropriate supervision.

Ash is the first and only person in the trust to carry this title and do this role, which is regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC) as of December 2024, strengthening patient safety and public trust in the profession and providing assurance that physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia have the right level of education and training and meet the standards expected of regulated professions.

He has been training clinically in the trust while doing his Master’s and has gained a unique understanding of how to help maintain the high levels of care patients receive at MTW.