1 June 2026
A UK and Ireland-wide survey aimed at capturing data on regional anaesthesia practice, and its complications, in Emergency Departments has opened today (1 June 2026).
It forms part of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM)’s National Audit Programme 8 (NAP8).
NAP8, a collaboration between RCEM and the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM), aims to understand and improve the safety of regional anaesthesia in EDs across the UK and Ireland.
The activity survey runs from 1-7 June and aims to capture every episode of regional anaesthesia delivered in the ED during that week. Details will include who performed it, what the block was, where it was, when and what equipment was used.
Data gathered from the survey will then be analysed as part of NAP8.
Surveys for each site will be managed by local coordinators, who are volunteers. A list of local coordinators and their sites can be found here.
Dr Fiona Burton, RCEM NAP8 Lead, said: “This activity survey will, we hope, inform our audit of regional anaesthesia across the UK and Ireland.
“I strongly encourage all ED clinicians working at a site taking part in NAP8 to complete the survey for each regional block performed. Check with your local coordinator to find out how to participate.
“If you’re centre is taking part in NAP8 make sure you complete the survey for each regional block performed. Check with your local co-ordinator to see how you can access it?”
“Their input will help us drive improvements to clinical practice and, ultimately, improve patient safety.”
The activity survey follows an initial baseline survey, carried out earlier this year, which captured clinicians’ professional experience of anaesthesia and their departments’ structures and processes for it.
Also opening on 1 June is a case registry, which will remain open for one year. It aims to record all episodes of complications that occur during regional anaesthesia. This will also be administered by local coordinators.
For more information on NAP8, what the College hopes it will achieve and how to get involved, click here or contact the team via email at: nap8@rcem.ac.uk.