Perioperative practice
AfPP strengthens leadership team
The AfPP is strengthening its leadership for a progressive perioperative future. Susan Preston highlights the appointment of the new Trustees and offers an insight into how they will drive forward safer perioperative care.
The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) has welcomed three new Trustees, one elected and two appointed, whose diverse professional backgrounds and commitment to the perioperative workforce will strengthen and enhance the governance of the organisation. AfPP President Oliver Tierney welcomed the appointments, saying: “We are thrilled to welcome John Biddle, Thomas Roberts, and Georgia Headley to the Board. Each brings a unique blend of experience, perspective and commitment that will strengthen our governance and deepen our connection with the perioperative community. Their leadership will help ensure AfPP continues to champion excellence, advocate for practitioners, and drive forward our mission at a pivotal moment for the profession.” Together, John, Thomas, and Georgia bring leadership grounded in clinical expertise, strategic people management, and a shared commitment to improving safety, culture and visibility within perioperative services.
New Trustee, John Biddle: From military life to the operating theatre AfPP’s newly elected Trustee John Biddle describes the moment he was chosen as deeply
emotional and profoundly meaningful. “When I found out I had been elected, I got
quite emotional,” John shared. “It was lovely to know the members wanted me as a Trustee. It meant a lot.” John’s journey into perioperative practice began long before he first entered an operating theatre. Coming from a strong military lineage, he joined the British Army expecting it to be his lifelong career. But at 27, a severe injury led to a medical discharge and an unexpected search for a new direction. “I thought I was a career soldier,” he said. “When I was discharged, I didn’t know what I
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wanted to do.” For a period, John focused on raising his young children at home. Then he spotted an advert for a Health Care Assistant role at Salisbury District Hospital, a decision that opened the door to a completely new profession. His first experience in theatre was transformative. Watching a general anaesthetic being administered, he noticed the easy, natural rapport between the anaesthetist and the ODP. “It reminded me of the military,” he said.
“There was such natural banter.” That moment lit the spark for a new vocation. John soon began training as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), mentored by Kevin, the very ODP he had observed during his first theatre experience. Kevin became one of three major influences in his career, alongside his lecturer John, and an anaesthetist who shaped his understanding of theatre dynamics. After qualifying in 2005, John’s work took him
across the South and Southwest of England, including London, via agency placements that broadened his clinical experience. He has always believed in keeping his practice wide-ranging. “Being an ODP is lifelong learning,” he said. “It’s
a craft, not just a practice.” Today, John works at Circle Hampshire Clinic
in Basingstoke as a Surgical First Assistant, Perioperative Practitioner, and Infection Prevention and Control Lead. He continues to work occasional agency shifts, believing that staying close to frontline practice “keeps you honest.”
John has also trained with UK-Med and served on their on-call deployment rota, an experience that strengthened his adaptability and reinforced the importance of maintaining high standards in challenging environments. In addition, he serves as an expert witness in perioperative cases, deepening his understanding of professional accountability.
The lasting impact of COVID John openly acknowledges the emotional toll the pandemic has taken on perioperative teams: “Many practitioners are still traumatised by COVID,” he said. “People are tired. Throughput and pressures are high above and below. It’s crucial that someone is keeping an eye on people.”
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