Anaesthetists prepare patients for surgery

The move is designed to tackle a growing shortage of the experts.

The so-called anaesthesia practitioners would monitor the condition of a patient during minor operations.

Under the proposals, a fully trained consultant anaesthetist would always be present when the patient went under and came round.

They would also be nearby if needed.

The system is already being piloted in England, and is commonly used in Europe and the United States.

Highly trained

Any pilot in Scotland is not expected before the autumn.

An anaesthetist is a highly trained medical doctor whose function it is to make patients insensitive to pain during surgery.

He or she will monitor the way the body responds before, during and after the anaesthetic is administered.

There are more than 8,000 anaesthetists in the UK who are involved in the care of two-thirds of all hospital patients.