The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) has announced its 2012 congress theme for ICC Birmingham on 18 October as being ‘Focus on change’, alongside a pair of prestigious key speakers.
‘Managing perioperative care within changing environments’ has evolved from the NHS whitepaper 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 boasts a programme that includes something for everyone – from leadership and safety issues to networking and peer discussions. The introductory Daisy Ayris lecture will be given 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. A further keynote lecture, Acute to Community: Care Closer to Home, will be presented by Professor Hilary Humphreys, part of the team responsible for the paper, Guidelines on the facilities required for minor surgical procedures and minimal access interventions, a study of the circumstances in which surgical procedures can be undertaken outside of the traditional theatre environment. Prof. Humphreys, a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and a specialist in clinical microbiology, will discuss how the changes in the NHS will lead to a growing number of procedures being undertaken in primary care facilities, and assess the training and environmental requirements necessary for patient safety to remain uncompromised. AfPP CEO Dawn Stott explained more about changes to the event this year. She said: “AfPP2012 is about reacting to changes within the NHS, and changes all around us. As a charity we are 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 fantastic range of lectures, reports and interaction into one very intensive day – and holding it at the ICC in Birmingham 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.” For more information about the event and to register visit www.afpp2012.org.uk
