Dr Sumit Das – Consultant Anaesthetist 

Early Career & Motivation 

Can you explain your path into anaesthesia, and what led you to specialise in paediatric and complex surgical care?

My initial exposure to anaesthesia came while working in emergency medicine in Australia as a junior doctor, where I developed a strong interest in airway management. I went on to complete my anaesthetic training in the Wessex region, during which I undertook a fellowship in paediatric anaesthesia in Michigan, USA. That experience was pivotal and firmly established my interest in paediatric anaesthesia and the management of patients undergoing complex surgical procedures.

Was there a particular experience early in your career that shaped your interest in airway management and paediatric anaesthesia? 

During my fellowship in the United States, I was involved in providing anaesthesia for complex craniofacial surgery. Managing children with challenging anatomy and syndromic conditions required advanced airway skills and careful planning. This experience was both intellectually and clinically rewarding, and it sparked a lasting enthusiasm for managing complex paediatric airways.

Clinical Practice

Could you describe your current role and the scope of your work at the John Radcliffe Hospital?

I work as a tertiary paediatric anaesthetist in Oxford, providing anaesthesia for a wide range of patients—from neonates through to adults requiring specialist care. My practice includes complex surgical cases, and I value the breadth and variety this role offers.

You work across both NHS and private practice – how does this breadth of experience shape your clinical perspective?

Working across both the NHS and private sectors, and treating both paediatric and adult patients, helps maintain a broad and adaptable skill set. It also exposes me to a diverse range of clinical scenarios, which keeps my practice dynamic and continually evolving.

Are there any cases or experiences that highlight the impact of your work on patient care? 

I have been involved in a number of complex, multidisciplinary cases. One recent example involved the care of a child who sustained a severe liver injury and required massive transfusion, of multiple blood volumes. This case underscored the critical importance of effective teamwork, clear communication, and coordinated decision-making in achieving a positive outcome. 

What aspects of your clinical practice do you find most rewarding?

I find the greatest satisfaction in managing complex neonatal and paediatric craniofacial cases. These cases require close collaboration across specialties, and it is incredibly rewarding to contribute to a well-functioning team and to support patients and families through challenging situations.

Specialist Expertise 

You have significant expertise in paediatric anaesthesia and airway management – what are the key challenges in these areas?

One of the main challenges is the speed at which a child’s clinical condition can deteriorate, particularly in airway-related situations. It is essential to remain calm, think clearly under pressure, and lead the team effectively to ensure patient safety.

How do you approach high-risk cases, particularly in children undergoing complex or reconstructive surgery?

A thorough pre-operative assessment is essential, along with detailed planning and clear communication with both the surgical team and the patient’s family. Multidisciplinary collaboration is key, ensuring that all potential risks are anticipated and that there is a shared understanding of the perioperative plan.

You also have a strong interest in pain management – how do you optimise peri-operative care to improve patient outcomes?

I take a multimodal approach to pain management, combining different analgesic techniques to optimise patient comfort and recovery. Close collaboration with surgeons and nursing teams is crucial to ensure continuity of care and the best possible outcomes.

Leadership, Governance & Patient Safety

You have held a number of senior leadership roles – how have these shaped your approach to clinical governance and patient safety?

Leadership roles have reinforced the importance of creating a culture of openness, learning, and continuous improvement. I place a strong emphasis on reflective practice, robust governance processes, and supporting colleagues to deliver safe, high-quality care.

As former Clinical Lead for Paediatric Anaesthesia, what improvements or initiatives are you most proud of?

During my time as Clinical Lead, I focused on strengthening team communication, improving standardisation of care pathways, and supporting staff development and recruitment. Enhancing multidisciplinary collaboration and promoting a safety-focused culture were key priorities.

You does your role within organisations such as APAGBI and Nuffield Health inform your clinical practice?

My role on APAGBI Council and with Nuffield Health allows me to stay up to date with and to shape evolving standards, guidelines, and best practices. It also provides opportunities to contribute to wider discussions on patient safety and clinical excellence, which directly informs my day-to-day practice.

Medico-Legal Work 

How did you first become involved in expert witness work, and what attracted you to this area?

My involvement developed naturally through my clinical experience and interest in patient safety and governance. Medico-legal work offers an opportunity to apply clinical expertise in a structured and analytical way, helping to clarify complex situations and contribute to fair outcomes. There are also very Fellowship trained paediatric anaesthetists providing expert witness work.

You currently act as a clinical negligence case reviewer for the General Medical Council – how has this experience shaped your approach as an expert witness?

This role has strengthened my ability to assess cases objectively and in line with professional standards. It has reinforced the importance of impartiality, clarity, and attention to detail when forming opinions, all of which are essential qualities in expert witness work. 

What types of cases are you most commonly instructed on?

I am most commonly instructed on cases involving anaesthesia-related issues, including airway management, peri-operative complications, and the care of both paediatric and adult patients undergoing both routine and complex procedures.

Clinical Negligence & Complex Cases 

Your expertise spans both adult and paediatric anaesthesia – how does this breadth support your work in clinical negligence cases?

Having experience across both populations allows me to provide a more comprehensive perspective, particularly in cases where principles of care overlap. It also enables me to assess whether standards of care have been applied appropriately in a range of clinical contexts.

In your experience, what are the key issues that arise in anaesthesia-related claims?

Common issues include airway management difficulties, communication breakdowns, peri-operative planning, and the management of complications. Documentation and team coordination are also frequent areas of scrutiny.

How do you approach complex cases involving airway management, peri-operative complications or critical care?

I take a structured and methodical approach, carefully reviewing all available records and considering the clinical context at each stage. I focus on whether care met accepted standards and whether decisions were reasonable given the information available at the time.

What is your approach to analysing causation in cases with multiple contributing factors?

Causation requires careful, balanced analysis. I consider each contributing factor individually and in combination, assessing their relative impact on the outcome. The aim is to provide a clear, evidence-based opinion that distinguishes between correlation and causation.