Perioperative care: managing change

This year, the theme for the annual congress of the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) will be Managing Perioperative Care within Changing Environments – in recognition of the impact of the NHS white paper and the overriding need for professional associations to respond with leadership and guidance for perioperative teams. Taking an empowerment perspective, as in previous years, the event offers a programme with something for everyone – from leadership and safety issues, to networking and peer discussions. In response to the heavy pressures on finance and resources facing practitioners in the current financial climate, the 2012 congress and exhibition is being staged over one very intensive day of education and training. AfPP CEO Dawn Stott explained: “AfPP 2012 is about reacting to changes within the NHS, and changes all around us. As a charity, we are totally dedicated to training and CPD for all practitioners, and perioperative staff in particular, and our previous two and three day events have proven extremely popular with delegates and exhibitors. “However, we also acknowledge the challenges faced by everyone in our profession in finding the time and financial backing to attend longer events, so we have crammed a comprehensive range of lectures, reports and interaction into one very intensive day. Holding it at the ICC in Birmingham also means it is relatively easy to get to from almost anywhere in the country. We are confident that a smaller event will be an even bigger success.” The congress programme will cover a diverse range of topics, featuring high profile speakers who will inspire, educate and enthuse. Some highlights of the programme are featured below:

Leadership and managing change

The introductory Daisy Ayris lecture will be presented by Dr Jean White, chief nursing officer/nurse director for Wales – head of the Nursing and Midwifery professions in NHS Wales and responsible for the professional performance and development of nurse directors and the nursing profession. Developing the event’s theme, Dr White will expand on the challenges within the NHS of the future and the impact on perioperative teams, how they can maintain patient safety and ultimately grow into national leadership roles and influence healthcare delivery.