Happy Operating Department Practitioner Day!

Ollie and Beth work as Anaesthetics ODPs at Nevill Hall, the Royal Gwent and The Grange University Hospitals.

As well as leading the theatres team and preparing the operating theatre for procedures, their main responsibility is to think one step ahead of the Anaesthetist and to anticipate anything they will need or any issues that could arise.

Before becoming an ODP, Ollie worked as a mechanical engineer. He said: “There were lots of aspects of my role in engineering that have transferred to my role as an ODP. Being mechanical, technically minded, and problem solving are all skills you need as an ODP - the instruments we use in theatres are my tool box! In our role, we work hard to quickly build a rapport with patients so that we can offer them as much support as possible and advocate for them.”

Beth said: “Anywhere you will find an Anaesthetist, you will find an ODP with them. From Epidurals to Cardiac Arrests, anything emergency-related really; none of those treatments would be possible without an ODP. Being a patient in Intensive Care or Theatres are the most vulnerable situations you can be in, and you have to be able to put your trust in someone. We’re there to give patients that reassurance and to show them ‘we can fix this and we’re going to make you ok’. I love being able to help patients and make them better.”

The 80th anniversary of the ODP role is known as the Oak anniversary, symbolising strength and commitment - qualities that perfectly align with the ODP role!