Time is running out to book a ticket at one of the largest gatherings of perioperative professionals in the UK — the AfPP Annual Conference.
The event is essential for anyone working in the perioperative field and this year’s theme is ‘A Profession to be Proud of’. What better way to celebrate this incredible profession than by listening to fantastic speakers, networking with 500 perioperative practitioners and relaxing during evening entertainment. Virtual tickets are also available for delegates who are unable to attend in-person at the University of York, where the conference will be hosted between 10-13 August.
With up to 14.5 CPD hours available, the AfPP Conference is a not-to-be-missed event for perioperative professionals looking to enhance their knowledge, network with peers and explore the latest trends in the perioperative environment. The conference boasts six learning streams and features over 30 expert speakers covering a wide variety of topics. Following on from previous feedback, this year’s programme is packed with plenty of clinical sessions.
Dr. Achuthan Sajayan, consultant anaesthetist at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, will explore the topic of ‘Difficult Airway Management; Learning from Incidents’. Along with Dr. Fauzia Mir, Sajay currently leads the DAS Difficult Airway Alert Card and Database project involving roughly 196 hospitals in the UK.
Opening keynote speaker, Maria Koijck developed a video art installation with the waste from her own breast reconstruction surgery following breast cancer, which shone a light on the need for improved sustainability in surgery. “We as people would like to get better, but at what price? Are there no other ways to produce less waste in healthcare?”
On the topic of dealing with the surgical backlog, Imran Ahmad from Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust will be delivering a session on ‘A Weeks’ Worth of Surgery in One Day’. Stella Vig will be discussing ‘Resuming Elective Surgery’. Delegates can then explore the future of the perioperative environment with a session on Robotics by Morven Stewart and ‘The Use of AI in the Perioperative Setting’ by Patrick Voight.
As a keynote speaker, Faye O’Hara hopes that sharing her story following a tragic car accident will inspire others to recognise that, even when life doesn’t always go to plan, there is always another route. Having been a part of the NHS Implant Analysis service since its inception, Sue Waller, clinical quality and data management lead, will provide an understanding of this service to delegates. Pete Chell, clinical lead for anaesthetics and education at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, will introduce a new initiative to source, recruit and ensure the smooth transition of international anaesthetic practitioners into the UK workforce.
Delegates will hear from Nigel Roberts, head of nursing at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, on the topic of ‘Quantitative Research Results from Across NHS England Operating Theatres’. Nigel’s PhD, through the University of Derby, looks at why intra-operative surgical never-events still occur in NHS operating theatres, what can be done to address barriers to safer surgery and looking at how human factors can reduce patient harm. This links into the workshop around Psychological Safety and how this can impact on patient outcomes.
Sophie King’s session focuses on HSE findings regarding moving and handling in theatres. This led to a review of the training requirements in theatres, considering which staff require training and how the training is delivered.
Whether delegates are seeking to enhance their knowledge in a specific area or looking to broaden their understanding of perioperative care as a whole, the AfPP Annual Conference 2023 will provide them with the opportunity to do so. Whatever the specialism, role or experience level, there’s something for everyone.
Email events@afpp.org.uk Website: https://afppconf2023.co.uk
