AfPP RESIDENTIAL CONFERENCE 2019


coordinated by Public Health England. Linda provided an overview of the national AHP work programmes, summarising the work to support and develop the 14 Allied Health Professions led by public sector bodies. A key concern for the AfPP is implementing smoke-free theatres, and a campaign strategy is in the the pipeline. Discussing this topic was Lisa Nealen, RGN and perioperative practitioner at Queen Elizabeth Foundation Trust, Gateshead. Lisa took visitors through the six step process she adopted to achieve a Trust wide ‘smoke free’ policy. This was achieved by getting the participation of key stakeholders, including the risk management officer. Tackling the topic of diversity, Scarlet


McNally, consultant orthopaedic Surgeon, Eastbourne, asked why there are still so few women surgeons. She was elected to the Royal College of Surgeons’ Council in 2011, overseeing the ‘Women in Surgery’ project and initiatives to reduce bullying ‘by mistake’ and unconscious bias. Scarlet looked at the science of unconscious bias and how it affects human behaviour, while highlighting strategies to overcome bias, valuing the whole team and resetting the ‘norm’. Mona Guckian Fisher, International


Federation of Perioperative Nursing president, looked at the history of IFPN in the global context of delivering safe perioperative care, and supporting the strategic ambition of the World Health Organization, to deliver Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, as part of their sustainable development goals. Mona identified the extent to which a perioperative workforce can engage with world leaders and other allied health professionals to influence global policy and the delivery of healthcare across the world.


On the night of 3 June 2017, during the terrorist attack on London Bridge, Joy Ongcachuy, OBE, was working as a theatre nurse at Barts Health NHS Trust. Joy played a pivotal role inpreparing the hospital for patients arriving from the attacks and, as a result, was awarded an OBE in December 2018. She described her experience and how each individual was a vital member of the team, and how effective teamwork can only be achieved with good communication. Lindsay Keeley, patient safety and quality lead at the AfPP, identified and compared evolving roles in perioperative practice by exploring current practice, guidance and the


effective antibiotics at our disposal, Gail explained how SSIs are set to increase, and how pre, peri and postoperative care of the patient using new initiatives and improved surveillance is required.


Thomas McAlindon and Joshua Bartlett


from Stryker helped visitors identify and mitigate excessive waste within the operating room, while explaining the broader financial, environmental and health and safety impact that poor waste management can have. Thomas and Joshua discussed how taking a greener approach and identifying hidden waste costs could help realise financial savings.


Mark Taylor, national sales manager at Unisurge International


challenges faced in operating departments. Lindsay aimed to dispel the myths practitioners and employers have regarding evolving roles, and explained how embracing change in challenging times can provide an experienced flexible workforce. These evolving roles provide the opportunity and flexibility for a sustainable safe and productive workforce.


Denise Guzdz, patient safety and governance advisor, operating theatres at Sherwood Forest Trust, identified how incivility makes NHS staff feel, and how they can lose focus as a result. Denise looked at the effect it has on and the ability to function as a team. She also focused on its effects on commitment and staff well-being. She explained how to demonstrate civility and embed it into cultures and teams, and how to understand the impact incivility can have on patient outcomes and each other. Gail Lowdon, clinical surveillance lead at


Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, shared the Trust’s journey to reduce surgical site infection. At Northumbria, Gail was given the opportunity to develop a service that continues today; improving the surveillance and prevention of SSIs. Gail and her team have run national educational conferences under the Quality Improvement for Surgical Teams banner (QIST). With fewer


Aneurin Bevan, one of the most important ministers of the post-war Labour government, was the chief architect of the NHS. His response to seniors who expressed their concerns about payment, appeased them by announcing: “I’ll stuff their mouths with money.”


64 I WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM


Mark Taylor, national sales manager at Unisurge International, provided a live demonstration, comparing the various gown fabrics and their properties. Mark has 15 years’ operating theatre experience, working within both the NHS and the RAF, across all surgical specialities. On leaving the Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service, he joined the commercial sector where his primary focus is procedure packs, drapes and gowns.


Highlighting the difference between


comfort and protection, Mark compared traditional spunlace gowns with the Unisurge SMS range. He explained: “The 45g SMS gown is designed to offer end users the protection that they require, and the Lite gown is part of comprehensive range already available - including reinforced and impervious gowns. The Unisurge gowns are designed to provide comfort and protection across all specialities and procedures.” The company is unveiling its 50g version, which combines protection with extra comfort. Mark demonstrated an experiment by dropping a pipette of bovine blood on 45g and 50g spunlace fabrics, and 45g and 50g SMS fabrics. Blotting paper was pressed against all four and, while the spunlace fabrics left traces of blood, the SMS fabrics remained clear. “The level of protection is greater,” Mark noted. “Additional benefits include a Velcro finish which is sewn into the gown, preventing the material to from flapping, and scratching theatre staff’s necks. Gown ties can often come loose as they are only sewn on, however, the SMS gowns are sewn on and thermal branded from all directions. The length of the cuffs has been extended to remove the possibility of exposing the wearer’s wrists and the material is fire resistant.”


Looking forward to 2020


The event was a success, with both visitors and exhibitors sharing their praise. Next year’s event will see a couple of changes; firstly, a name change to ‘AfPP Annual Conference 2020’, and secondly, a change of date – 10 to 13 September 2020. It will still take place onsite the University


of York Campus, and the aim will also continue – to provide engagement opportunities and high quality education for practitioners at every level.


CSJ SEPTEMBER 2019


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