The Association of Anaesthetists approached BARNA for comment on this paper prior to its publication. This work will review the content of the document published in September 2002. The Association has published two similar documents prior to this in 1985 and 1993. They recognise that the post anaesthetic care of a patient has evolved rapidly since the last document was published. The current document is a response to the rapidly changing nature of anaesthesia and surgery and the direct impact that has on the post anaesthetic care unit, the patients and the staff who work within the unit. A summary of the key recommendations can be seen below and these will be expanded upon and discussed.