Perioperative practice
Shaping a safe perioperative culture
The AfPP urged theatre teams to sign up to a ‘behaviours charter’ at its annual conference, highlighting the impact of incivility on patient safety. CSJ reports on the hot topics discussed at the event – from fostering a safety culture in perioperative practice, to human factors learning.
The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) Annual National Conference 2025 took place on 8-9 August 2025 at the University of Warwick. Following the success of last year’s event, AfPP returned to Warwick to bring together practitioners from every area of perioperative practice for two days of education, innovation, and networking. High on the agenda was the importance of understanding the impact of operating theatre culture on patient safety, as well as staff performance, retention and wellbeing. From participation in immersive simulation
to enhance perioperative performance, to discussion of AI in perioperative care, innovation and technology were at the forefront of this year’s event, with opportunities for hands-on training using virtual reality. This was in addition to practical workshops on ultrasound guided IV access, skin prep and surgical fires, managing workplace stress and preventing burnout. The programme was packed with educational insights and skills training opportunities, designed to inspire excellence within perioperative care.
‘A good year for the AfPP’ AfPP President, Oliver Tierney opened the conference by describing the delegates as “the life blood of the AfPP”: “If we do not have our members, we are nothing. You are incredibly skilled practitioners and it’s wonderful to welcome you all here. It’s been a really good year for AfPP, with three brilliant projects that are now up and running,” he commented. Among these projects included the
reinstatement of the Perioperative Care Collaborative (PCC), which brings together leading organisations – including AfPP, the Royal College of Surgeons, the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC), the College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP), and key academic institutions. The PCC has a shared aim to influence healthcare policy and develop
Oliver Tierney, AfPP President
guidance that improves patient care and supports the multi-professional surgical team. The first priority on the agenda for the newly
reinstated group is a matter of urgent concern: a full review of the Position Statement for the role of Surgical First Assistants (SFAs). The review comes in response to growing unease from practitioners across the perioperative community – the AfPP has received anecdotal evidence that SFAs are routinely being asked to work outside their scope of training and competence, particularly when assisting in robotic surgery, raising concerns about the potential to impact practitioner and patient safety. AfPP has also established a newly formed
Inclusivity and Diversity Group, chaired by AfPP Elected Trustee and Board member, Will Windsor. Each month, the group will be highlighting the work of a different group/ organisation/cause, starting with Mercy Ships – a charitable organisation that deploys hospital ships to some of the World’s poorest countries, delivering vital, free healthcare to people in desperate need (visit
www.mercyships.org.uk for more information). The AfPP’s ‘Behaviours Charter’ has also
been launched, which is centred around the ethos of Sign Up to Civility. The Charter is a comprehensive framework grounded in the belief that civility, empathy, and professionalism are just as vital as clinical proficiency. It sets clear expectations for how perioperative professionals should interact with patients, colleagues, and the wider surgical team. Endorsed by the Centre for Perioperative Care and Civility Saves Lives, the Charter calls on all perioperative staff to commit to a behavioural standard that ensures the highest quality of care, while fostering a psychologically safe and collaborative workplace. The AfPP Behaviours Charter principles are grouped around five key commitments: l Commitment to Safety l Respectful Communication l Professionalism and Civility l Team Collaboration and Support l Continuous Improvement and Learning
Together, these commitments aim to ensure that all perioperative practitioners feel empowered, supported, and motivated to deliver outstanding care, while also safeguarding their own wellbeing and professional growth. “We exist in difficult times. We exist in
tempestuous times. We are being asked to do more with less. Our resources are stretched. Our staffing is difficult. Our systems feel broken. It can be very easy for us to give in to the pressure of ‘just one more case’, but we are better than that,” Oliver Tierney commented. “It is also easy to feel helpless and powerless. But the one thing that you all have is the power to influence your cultures within your departments – to put safety first. This is why we’ve launched the Charter,” he exclaimed.
The impact of incivility On the first day of the conference, a panel of experts shared their insights into ‘The impact of incivility in the perioperative environment’.
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