Who we are, how we're run, and the people and organisations behind the British Anaesthetic & Recovery Nurses Association.
Our Mission: To support all perioperative professionals in delivering the highest standards of care in patients undergoing anaesthesia in any setting.
Our Vision: Excellence in care through education, audit and research.
Our Values: To value everyone who contributes to our work. To expect and encourage the highest possible standards.
BARNA is a Registered Charity (1039150). It is managed by a Board of Trustees elected from the membership. The AGM is held at the Annual Conference, where committee members are elected. Members may request copies of AGM minutes and the Financial Report.
BARNA is the official UK representative to IFNA and ICPAN — on joining, all members automatically become members of both. BARNA elects a UK representative to each organisation's governing board.
The BARNA Board and committee — name and role only.
BARNA is run by a small team of dedicated professionals, and we always need more help developing our services and reaching new members. If you'd like to get involved, there are many ways to contribute: reviewing or developing education resources, sharing local knowledge (hospitals, contacts, venues), helping with events, or lending IT, admin, or design skills.
Get in touch to find out more: connectwithbarna@gmail.com.
BARNA was founded in 1987 with a specific focus on anaesthesia and recovery nurses in Birmingham. For over 30 years BARNA has hosted annual conferences, study days and discussion forums.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1986 | Lesley Dowding founds ARNA (Anaesthetic and Recovery Association) – Annual Conference commenced in Birmingham (1987–2003). |
| 1992–4 | Committee enlarged: ARNA renamed BARNA when it becomes a Charity |
| 1995 | BARNA becomes the UK representative for IFNA |
| 1997 | Quarterly Journal well established |
| 1999 | Website established. Study days on Clinical Scenarios and Ethics and Law |
| 2002 | Irish Anaesthetic & Recovery Nurses Association founded |
| 2003 | Annual Conference moves to Brighton. Leaders of ASPAN and IARNA attend. Standards published |
| 2004 | BARNA Clinical Practice Forum in London: BARNA contributing to NWWA, PCC Skills for Health |
| 2007 | Study Days on Difficult Airway in London |
| 2008 | Annual Conference moved to London, City Hall. Early talks with ASPAN, IARNA, Canada on an International meeting for perianaesthesia nurses |
| 2009 | BARNA supported study days in York and Surrey. 'BARNA Talks' on Staffing PACU was very successful |
| 2010 | BARNA working with AAGBI on UK National Competencies for PACU. Planning first ICPAN Conference |
| 2011 | 1st international meeting for peri-anaesthesia nurses, Toronto, Canada |
| 2012 | Social Media for BARNA set up. Talks on BARNA hosting the 2016 IFNA Conference commenced |
| 2013 | Study day in Surrey on Thermoregulation with Molnlycke |
| 2014 | Study day on Obese Patient Management with SOBA at the RCN |
| 2016 | BARNA hosts IFNA Conference in Glasgow. 'BARNA Talks': Revalidation, London, January 2016 |
| 2020 | Covid Pandemic. Conference Cancelled |
| 2021 | Pandemic continues. Live Conference Cancelled: Virtual Conference planned. BARNA Airway Learning and Teaching Resource issued |
| 2024 | 34th Annual Conference, St Thomas' Hospital, London (7 June). Adult PACU Competency Framework developed. |
| 2025 | 35th Annual Conference held. BARNA Education Statement issued (13 August). |
| 2026 | Webinar with Solventum, "One Together: Quality Improvement Guidelines" (18 April). Joint Statement on Corridor Care within the PACU published with five partner bodies (6 May). 36th Annual Conference, Bush House, King's College London (5 June). AGM held via Microsoft Teams (14 July). Webinars on Postoperative Delirium Detection (16 July) and Communicating with Children, Young People and Their Families (20 August). |