The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Anesthesia (PgD Anesthesia) is a prestigious qualification designed for experienced healthcare professionals who wish to advance their expertise in the specialised field of anesthesia. This postgraduate programme is not intended for fresh candidates but is specifically tailored for medical practitioners, anaesthetists, and healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their clinical skills, deepen their knowledge, and strengthen their career prospects through Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Learners will gain advanced understanding and practical competence in all aspects of anesthesia, including preoperative assessment, intraoperative management, pain control, and postoperative care. The programme emphasises evidence-based practice, patient safety, and the application of cutting-edge clinical techniques. By integrating theoretical learning with practical applications, learners are prepared to deliver high-quality anaesthetic care across a range of surgical, emergency, and critical care settings.
Centres delivering this qualification are required to have competent and qualified staff with advanced expertise in anesthesia and perioperative medicine. Additionally, centres must provide access to modern facilities, updated learning materials, simulation tools, and reliable digital resources to ensure effective teaching, learning, and assessment.
The PgD Anesthesia equips learners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to assume advanced roles in clinical anaesthesia, perioperative management, and pain medicine. It provides a pathway for professional growth, leadership opportunities, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to patient care and healthcare systems.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Anesthesia (PgD Anesthesia)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
600
Qualification #
LICQ2200967
Qualification Specification
To enroll in theLICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Anesthesia (PgD Anesthesia), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200967-1 |
Principles and Foundations of Anesthesia |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200967-2 |
Preoperative Assessment and Patient Preparation |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200967-3 |
Intraoperative Anesthesia Management |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200967-4 |
Postoperative and Pain Management |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200967-5 |
Anaesthesia in Special Populations |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200967-6 |
Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice in Anesthesia |
20 |
100 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Principles and Foundations of Anesthesia
- Critically evaluate the fundamental principles and philosophy of anesthesia practice.
- Analyse the pharmacological and physiological basis of anaesthetic agents.
- Assess safety standards and risk management strategies in anesthesia.
- Apply foundational knowledge to support evidence-based clinical decision-making.
Unit 2: Preoperative Assessment and Patient Preparation
- Conduct comprehensive preoperative assessments and risk evaluations.
- Critically analyse patient-specific factors influencing anesthesia management.
- Develop effective strategies for patient optimisation prior to surgery.
- Demonstrate professional communication skills in obtaining informed consent and patient education.
Unit 3: Intraoperative Anesthesia Management
- Apply advanced knowledge of airway management, monitoring techniques, and anaesthetic agents.
- Critically evaluate intraoperative complications and implement effective management strategies.
- Integrate evidence-based approaches to optimise patient safety during surgery.
- Demonstrate proficiency in decision-making under complex and emergency conditions.
Unit 4: Postoperative and Pain Management
- Assess and manage postoperative complications and pain using evidence-based strategies.
- Critically evaluate analgesia techniques and individualise patient care plans.
- Apply principles of multimodal pain management and supportive care.
- Demonstrate holistic and patient-centred approaches to recovery and rehabilitation.
Unit 5: Anaesthesia in Special Populations
- Analyse the specific needs of paediatric, geriatric, obstetric, and critically ill patients.
- Develop tailored anaesthetic care plans for vulnerable patient populations.
- Critically appraise interventions and outcomes for high-risk or complex cases.
- Apply best practice principles to ensure safe and effective anesthesia delivery.
Unit 6: Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice in Anesthesia
- Demonstrate competence in research design, methodology, and data analysis relevant to anesthesia.
- Critically appraise and apply scientific literature to clinical practice.
- Integrate evidence-based approaches to improve patient outcomes and service delivery.
- Develop and present research proposals aligned with professional and ethical standards.
The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Anesthesia (PgD Anesthesia) is designed for experienced healthcare professionals seeking advanced knowledge and skills in anesthesia. This course is ideal for:
- Medical doctors and specialist anaesthetists wishing to enhance clinical expertise in perioperative and critical care.
- Nurses and allied health professionals working in operating theatres, intensive care units, or surgical care settings.
- Healthcare practitioners aiming to strengthen their pain management, airway management, and patient safety skills.
- Professionals responsible for the care of complex, high-risk, or special patient populations.
- Clinicians seeking to develop leadership, clinical governance, and evidence-based practice in anesthesia.
- Health professionals committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and career progression in anaesthetic and perioperative medicine.
- Professionals interested in research, policy development, or education related to anesthesia and critical care.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Anesthesia (PgD Anesthesia) must maintain high standards to ensure learners receive quality education, practical experience, and successful outcomes. To achieve this, centres should provide:
- Qualified and Experienced Faculty – Instructors must hold postgraduate qualifications in anesthesia, perioperative medicine, or related healthcare disciplines, with proven professional experience.
- Comprehensive Learning Resources – Centres must offer access to up-to-date textbooks, clinical guidelines, research journals, and case studies to support advanced learning.
- Modern Digital Infrastructure – Reliable online learning platforms, simulation tools, and digital libraries should be available for coursework, research, and assessments.
- Well-Equipped Facilities – Centres must provide classrooms, seminar rooms, and clinical simulation labs with multimedia support to facilitate interactive and effective learning.
- Learner Support Services – Academic mentoring, professional guidance, and administrative support must be readily available to assist learners throughout the programme.
- Quality Assurance and Monitoring – Centres should implement robust quality assurance procedures, including programme reviews, assessment monitoring, and internal audits, to maintain high standards.
- Commitment to CPD – Teaching and administrative staff should engage in continuous professional development to ensure delivery of current best practices in anesthesia.
- Clinical and Professional Links – Centres are encouraged to establish partnerships with hospitals, surgical units, and healthcare organisations to provide learners with practical exposure and real-world experience.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
