Great interest in Anaesthesia as a career in WA
In March, the WA Regional Office promoted anaesthesia as a career at several events.
On 18 March, the WA Education Officer, the Chair of the WA Selection Committee, four trainees, and the WA training and course coordinator represented ANZCA at the annual Medical Careers Expo organised by the Postgraduate Medical Council of WA. Dr Jack Perkins presented about what it's like to become an anaesthetist and our stand was one of the busiest, with many attendees asking about pathways to becoming an anaesthetist or pain medicine specialist. The neck trainer, as always, proved to be an engaging challenge for medical students. Our thanks go to Dr Alan Ch'ng, Dr Nikki Harmey, Dr Jack Perkins, Dr Merredith Cully, Dr Joseph Cotterill, Dr Charlotte Crantock and Dr Terry Pham for volunteering their time to promote anaesthesia as a career.
On 31 March, the WA Office hosted a hybrid information evening for prospective anaesthesia training applicants. The event was extremely popular, with 40 people registered to attend in person and 90 registered via Zoom. Many interested trainees were unable to secure a place due to high demand and substantial waitlists. The Education Officer has scheduled an additional information evening for 22 April, and registrations are already coming in rapidly. We thank Dr Nikki Harmey, Dr Grace Ho, Dr Tom Cordery and Dr Alan Ch'ng for making time in their diaries to speak to prospective anaesthesia trainees.
ACE WA Lecture Series 2026 - CICO Workshop
From Emergency FONA a roadside to resus perspective: Preparation, Prevention and Performance of CICO - 24 March 2026
Held on the 24 March at 6.30pm, and hosted by Dr S. Cooper FANZCA and Dr A. Challen FANZCA, the workshop was delivered by experienced instructors from prehospital care, emergency medicine, and anaesthesia.
The multidisciplinary team provided a broad, practical perspective on managing airway emergencies as emergency anaesthesia can present a uniquely complex challenge for anaesthetists. Unlike controlled operating theatre environments, these procedures are often performed in unfamiliar settings, alongside ad hoc “swarm teams,” and involve patients who are unfasted and physiologically unstable. These factors were noted to significantly increase the risk of complications, including front-of-neck airway (FONA) events.
This workshop combined focused discussion with hands-on training. Key discussion topics included the 2025 DAS guidelines, the AMAX approach, and strategies to optimise human factors using the Zero-Point Survey. These frameworks were presented as practical tools to improve decision-making and team performance in high-pressure environments.
The practical skill stations allowed participants to develop and refine critical techniques. These included ventilator-assisted preoxygenation, suction-assisted laryngoscopy airway decontamination (SALAD), and the scalpel–finger–bougie technique for FONA. Participants were given repeated opportunities to practice, helping to build muscle memory and procedural confidence, with each clinician performing multiple supervised attempts.
All participants also got to take home a Cric trainer!
Thank you to the facilitators for their knowledge, time and effort into making this workshop a success. This workshop was fully subscribed from its initial release, demonstrating that the ACE WA Lecture Series continues to be popular in 2026.
Please visit the ACE WA Lecture Series event page to register and keep up to date with our upcoming events.
Dr Archana Shrivathsa, Dr Charlie Ho and Ms Melanie Roberts, WA ACE Committee.
WA Trainee Committee
Elected annually by Western Australia (WA) trainees, the WA Trainee Committee acts as a conduit between trainees and fellows in the region, and the ANZCA Council. The newly elected WA Trainee Committee had its first meeting on 12 February 2026.
The elected members for 2026 include:
- Dr Matthew Avery
- Dr Ashleigh Cargill
- Dr Merredith Cully
- Dr Ethan Fitzclarence
- Dr Nyomi Hall
- Dr Teegan Hartwig
- Dr Callan Jolliffe
- Dr Kelly Shepherd
At the first meeting of 2026, Dr Ashleigh Cargill and Dr Teegan Hartwig were re-elected as Co-Chairs. BT, IT and independent trainees have been co-opted to the committee to ensure a breadth of representation.
We thank the members of the 2025 WATC for their hard work and passion advocating for WA Trainees in 2025, in particular the committee members who will not be continuing in this role: Dr Amy Lumb; Dr Elliot Davis; Dr Erin Chevis; Dr Jemma Montelle; and Dr Tim Marmion.
The WA Trainee Committee can be reached through the WA ANZCA Office via: [email protected], or confidentially via: [email protected].
EO SOT news
The first meeting of the WA Education Officer with the WA Supervisors of Training (SOTs) is traditionally a dinner meeting. This year, this dinner took place at Lamont’s Bishops House, on 29 January 2026.
Of the 34 WA SOTs, 18 were able to attend this in person session. Attendees also included the WA Education Officer, Dr Alan Ch'ng, the WA Deputy Education Officers, Dr Annie Carlton and Dr Tamsyn Williams, the WA Rotational Officer, Dr Tomas Cordery, and the CSO, Ms Ineke Krom.
Introduction to Anaesthesia course
The Introduction to Anaesthesia is run yearly in all regions and New Zealand to welcome new trainees into the ANZCA training program. The course is a face-to-face, full day event aimed at providing introductory trainees with information that is relevant to them and their training. It is also a fantastic opportunity to meet other trainees in the training program and build friendships and connections.
This year, WA invited 18 new trainees to the course which was held on 7 February 2025 at the ANZCA WA Office; we welcomed guest speakers including trainees, supervisors of training and consultants, to discuss professionalism and performance, ANZCA resources, the Training Portfolio System, welfare, mentoring and training. ANZCA WA would like to thank the fellows and trainees who provided support and expertise during the course. We would also like to offer our sincerest thanks to WA Deputy Education Officer Dr Tamsyn Williams for the time and effort in convening the Introduction to Anaesthesia course.
ACE WA Country Conference 2026
The Country Conference will be co-convened by Joondalup Health Campus and Rockingham Hospital. The conference will take place from 13 to 15 November 2026 at the Pullman Bunker Bay Resort in Margaret River; the program is currently in development and registrations will open later this year. Please visit the ACE WA Country Conference website for further details.
WA Final Exam Preparation Course
The WA Final Exam Preparation Course provides access to evening tutorials for up to 12 months prior to your exam. Interactive, small group discussions about a wide range of topics are facilitated by specialists.
Registrations are available online for the following sittings:
- WA Final Exam Preparation Course - Second Sitting 2026
- WA Final Exam Preparation Course – First Sitting 2027
For any questions, please contact Ineke Krom, ANZCA WA Administrative Officer.
WA directory
Garden Office Park, Ground Floor, Building A, 355 Scarborough Beach Road, Osborne Park WA 6017
+61 8 6188 4555
The Western Australian Trainee Committee is an elected body that act as a conduit between fellows and trainees in the Western Australian region and the ANZCA Council to which they report.
The Western Australia Regional Committee is an elected body that acts as a conduit between fellows and trainees in Western Australia, and the ANZCA Council to which they report.
The FPM WA Regional Committee is an elected body that acts as a conduit between fellows and trainees in the WA region, and the FPM Board to which they report.