The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) has announced the appointment of Jody Carvell as the new Trent Regional Lead.
A highly experienced and driven clinician, Jody brings over two decades of perioperative expertise, a strong academic background, and a passion for innovation to the role.
Currently working as a Surgical Care Practitioner in Upper GI and General Surgery at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Jody is recognised for his dedication to delivering high quality patient care and advancing surgical practice. He is leading the development of a pioneering digital platform designed to support the entire surgical patient journey; a first of its kind in the UK.
Jody began his healthcare career in 2004, qualifying as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) in 2006 after studying at Staffordshire University. He trained and worked at Queen’s Hospital Burton, gaining experience in anaesthetics and scrub, and completing his Surgical First Assistant qualifications at Greenwich University. He also contributed to an award-winning IV access team focused on improving patient safety.
In 2015, he joined Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust as a Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP) and has since taken an active role in the full continuum of surgical care, from pre-operative assessment to post-operative recovery. He also undertakes clinics, minor procedure operating lists and assists a wide variety of operations. He also supports training of healthcare professionals and junior doctors in accordance with the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum. Jody completed a Master’s in Surgical Care Practice delivered by Anglia Ruskin University, one of only two Royal College of Surgeons accredited SCP courses in the UK.
A committed researcher and advocate for innovation, Jody has presented at national and international conferences, including the RCSEd Faculty of Perioperative Care and the ERAS World Conference. In 2025, he published his first peer-reviewed article as lead author in the Gastrointestinal Nursing Journal, exploring patient experiences with virtual follow-up after peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia.
“I’ve always strived to push the boundaries of what’s possible in perioperative care,” said Jody. “I’m honoured to take on this new role with AfPP. I want to highlight the valuable roles of ODPs and Allied Health Professionals and show how we can contribute meaningfully to patient experience and system efficiency. It’s about progress, inclusion, and helping each other grow.”
Jody, who lives in Derby, is also a competitive powerlifter, early-morning gym enthusiast, rugby player, and proud father to two sons aged two and five. He will be speaking on Clinical Career Progression at the AfPP Regional Conference in Nottingham on Saturday 20th September.
AfPP Education Lead Jennifer Maher welcomed the appointment. She said: “Jody brings an inspiring blend of clinical expertise, academic drive, and personal integrity to this leadership role. His vision aligns closely with AfPP’s mission to improve patient care through developing our perioperative workforce. We’re excited to see the positive impact he will make across the Trent region and beyond.”
