P.43 Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on obstetric anaesthesia: A service evaluation

Abstract

Introduction: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, between March and May 2020, affected provision of anaesthetic services across the country. At its peak, critical care capacity exceeded 300% at Royal Gwent Hospital (RGH). Anaesthetic rotas were upscaled, trainees worked a 1 in 5 rota, and there was 24-h resident consultant anaesthetist cover. An obstetric COVID-19 contingency plan was introduced from 15 March 2020. We explored the impact of the pandemic on the provision of obstetric anaesthesia in RGH.