Examining latest developments in care

The event, for perioperative practitioners, is the largest of its kind in Western Europe. Over 5,000 people attend for an action-packed week of debates, networking, lectures, workshops and exhibition viewing. Perioperative care is an increasingly complex discipline and the AfPP Congress and Exhibition provide the top opportunity for those working in this environment to keep abreast of developments.

This year the Congress title is “Circles of Influence” which reflects the growing opportunities for theatre staff to use their skills and experience to influence the direction of perioperative care.

The opening session will feature guest speaker Claire Bertschinger. In the Ethiopian famine of 1985, Claire Bertschinger had the job of deciding which children would be allowed into the feeding station and which were too sick to be saved. Singer Bob Geldof said that the young nurse had been his inspiration for the original Band Aid single and Live Aid.

During the Congress, Christine Beasley, chief nursing officer for England, will be speaking about improving hospital cleanliness and tackling MRSA. A topical look at advancing surgical practice roles will be provided by Jackie Younger who has worked as a theatre manager, for the Changing Workforce Programme and for the NHS Modernisation Agency. Dr Eloise Carr, a reader in pain management, will be speaking on “Achieving optimum pain management”.

AfPP will be welcoming Doctor Kevin Fong, specialist registrar in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine in University College, London, where he was working in the accident and emergency department on the day of the 7/7 attacks in London last year. Dr Fong’s presentation will provide an overview of the nature and adequacy of the responses to the attacks.

AfPP’s Anaesthetics and Recovery Specialist Interest Group is supporting four sessions as part of this year’s Congress educational programme. These will be on Thursday 12 October and will include some of the important developments in clinical practice, the educational hurdles following the demise of the English National Board and proposed changes in care provision.

Being incorporated within AfPP’s educational programme will be a series of sessions presented by the Preoperative Association. It is important that patients are fully prepared for their surgical procedures, of all types, and that they are in an optimised state of health. Preoperative assessment has evolved as an essential step in patients’ surgical pathway.

The AfPP Congress will also feature sessions on correct site surgery, ophthalmology, preoperative assessment and trauma surgery.

INTERNATIONAL STUDY DAY
The International Federation of Perioperative Nurses (IFPN), an organisation which represents the views of perioperative nurses globally through its affiliation to the International Council of Nurses (ICN), will be hosting an international study day on 9 October – the first day of Congress. The theme for the day is “Patient Safety” and speakers will focus on important topics ensuring that varying practices around the world are highlighted.

EXHIBITION
Supplementing the Congress is the Exhibition which will be spread over five halls and feature over 220 companies. Products, systems and services at the forefront of medical technology will be promoted.

REGISTRATION
There are various ways to register – advance registration is recommended as it will avoid queuing at the event and enable delegate information about Harrogate to be provided ahead of the Congress and Exhibition. More information is available from: Association for Perioperative Practice, Daisy Ayris House, 6 Grove Park Court, Harrogate HG1 4DP. Tel: 01423 508079. Web: www.afpp.org.uk

Congress registration times

Sunday 8 October 3 pm to 6 pm
Monday 9 October 8 am to 4.30 pm
Tuesday 10 October 8 am to 5 pm
Wednesday 11 October 8 am to 5 pm
Thursday 12 October 8 am to 2 pm

Exhibition registration times
Tuesday 10 October 8.30 am to 5 pm
Wednesday 11 October 8.45 am to 5 pm
Thursday 12 October 8.45 am to 2.30 pm