Emeritus Professor awarded prestigious honour by the Royal College of Anaesthetists

Rob Sneyd, Emeritus Professor of the University of Plymouth, has been recognised for his lifetime services to anaesthesiology with the prestigious Gold Medal from the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

Professor Sneyd, who retired as Dean of the University’s Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry in 2018, was presented with the accolade – the highest that can be awarded to a Fellow of the College – by its President, Professor Ravi Mahajan.

He received the honour at the Royal College’s Diplomats Day at Central Hall, Westminster, in front of an audience of more than 1,000 people.

An acknowledged expert on intravenous anaesthesia, with more than 100 cited publications, Professor Sneyd was recognised for his “intelligence, energy and generosity”. In his citation, the Royal College praised him for using “his talents to support and encourage medical students, trainees and anaesthetists in every sphere of activity, whether clinical, academic or political”.

Professor Sneyd played a key role in the founding of the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, which included the creation of the first new dental school in the UK for 40 years. When the decision was taken to split the college, he became the inaugural Dean of the University’s Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, and later, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. He has also been Director of the European Society of Anaesthesiology, and a Board Member of the British Journal of Anaesthesia.

Speaking of the award, he said:

“The Royal College of Anaesthetists serves patients and their doctors through education, research and setting standards in care and safety. I share these objectives and have worked with amazing colleagues to deliver them. I’m honoured and grateful to receive this award.”