Operating Department Practice

Operating department practice is a healthcare profession concerned with supporting patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. Operating department practitioners work as integral members of the surgical team, providing care in the anaesthetic, surgical, and post-anaesthetic recovery phases of perioperative care. They assist anaesthetists in preparing and monitoring patients, support surgeons during procedures by managing instruments and maintaining the sterile field, and care for patients as they recover from anaesthesia.

The role requires a combination of technical knowledge, clinical skill, and the ability to act quickly and accurately under pressure in an environment where patient safety is paramount.

At Northumbria University in Newcastle, this three-year full-time programme leads to eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as an operating department practitioner, which is the required qualification for professional practice in the UK. The programme combines academic study of anaesthetic science, surgical science, and recovery care with substantial clinical placements in operating theatre environments, giving you the hands-on experience that professional competence requires. You will develop knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and the science of anaesthesia alongside the practical skills of instrument handling, patient positioning, aseptic technique, and the management of clinical emergencies.

Northumbria has strong placement links with NHS trusts across the North East, and the diverse range of surgical specialties available across these placements gives students broad clinical experience before graduation.

Graduates register with the Health and Care Professions Council and work in NHS hospital operating theatres across all surgical specialties, as well as in independent sector surgical facilities. The profession offers clear career progression routes and the opportunity to specialise in areas such as anaesthetic care, surgical scrub practice, recovery and post-anaesthetic care, and advanced clinical practice. Postgraduate study and continuing professional development are well supported within the profession.