A bespoke training programme in Anaesthesia
Our mission is to support trainees’ career development in a holistic and respectful manner, from ST4 level through to their successful application to the GMC’s Specialist Register via the Portfolio pathway.
When trainees join the LiPA programme, they are not just a number. Personalised support and rotations tailored to their professional and social needs is central to our ethos, underpinned by an engaged and experienced faculty.
““I couldn’t have imagined how much LiPA would grow and develop from the initial acorn of an idea, planted during the appraisal of one of our highly valued locally employed doctors back in 2021.
We have now shown that exceptional consultant colleagues can emerge through alternative pathways that, all the while, respect and champion individuality and flexibility. This is the cornerstone of the LiPA approach to training and personal development.”.
Dr Philippa Borra
LiPA Lead Clinician and Founder
Consultant in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia & Critical Care
Delivered in renowned central London hospitals
The heart of the programme is based within Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which is one of the UK’s largest NHS Trusts and covers 5 hospital sites comprising St Mary’s, Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Queen Charlottes & Chelsea, and The Western Eye Hospital.
The Trust has a world- leading reputation and Hammersmith & St Mary’s Hospital have two of the highest clinical ratings in the country, rated second and third best hospitals for clinical performance, quality of care and safety. The Trust’s two maternity units have been consistently rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). In 2024, the Trust was awarded ACSA accreditation by the Royal College of Anaesthetists.
The umbrella of our programme has now spread to include secondments at the The Royal Brompton, Royal Marsden, Hillingdon, Moorfields and Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
An engaged and experienced faculty
Our hospitals are staffed by experienced and enthusiastic consultant trainers who closely supervise and train LiPA trainees to the highest standards. As a result, several former trainees have gone on to secure competitive Consultant posts within Imperial College Healthcare hospitals. As alumni, they continue to contribute to the LiPA training programme, offering valuable mentorship, insights and practical advice for our trainees and faculty.
“A principal advantage of the Imperial CESR programme is the stability. Trainees rotate less often, allowing them to settle into departments, get to know permanent staff, and get known. Without frequent moves, and the associated anxiety about pay, rotas and banding, trainees can concentrate better on the reason they’re here- to develop as anaesthetists”.
Prof. Andrew Hartle
Consultant Anaesthetist
President of the Association of Anaesthetists (2014-16)
Access to state-of-the-art clinical & educational facilities
We have found the addition of LiPA trainees to the existing cohort of HEE registrars in our hospitals to be both a harmonious and synergistic experience, yielding tangible benefits for both groups of trainees.
In every hospital where LiPA Anaesthetics trainees work, they are guaranteed equal priority with HEE trainees for access to high quality training lists and educational opportunities.
Their training is further enriched through access to high-fidelity simulation suites and state-of-the-art anaesthetic equipment. Additionally, a generous annual study budget of £2000 extends their training opportunities to national and international courses or meetings.
