The Operating Theatre Journal February 2022

Apprentice ODP’s at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton; towards a future workforce model
Lead Author –
Mr Nigel D Roberts, MSc, BA(HONS), PGR student, ODP.
Lead Theatre Manager
Contributing Authors – Miss Jennifer Cuttell, ODP, Senior Clinical Educator theatres
- Miss Ellie Marks, RGN, Clinical Educator theatres
- Mrs Jennifer Flint, ODP, Clinical Educator theatres
- Mrs Grace Pearn, AHP Lead
- Professor Stephen Wordsworth, University of Derby
Keywords:
Apprentice, Operating Department Practitioners, Grow your own, Local, Educators, Covid-19, Health Care Assistants, Allied Health Professional
Abstract:
Objective: The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton in 2021, took the decision to recruit ninety apprentice Operating Department Practitioners
(ODPs) over a three-year period to help fill the gap of qualified registered theatre practitioners and to mitigate against the extraordinarily long
waiting lists that have resulted
THE
from Covid-19 pandemic
Methods: A project team was established solely for the recruitment of apprentice ODP’s. Internal and external recruitment via webinars, a
recruitment agency, UHDB screensavers, and NHS Jobs.
Findings: All apprentice ODP posts thus far have been recruited too. Applicants that were not successful, were offered Health Care Assistant (HCA)
include roles the UHDB operating merger, theatre, theatres to help over prepare 4 sites, them increased for the business future recruitment activity, safe events. staffing
for Conclusion: more theatre Growing sessions your own and staff the will new ensure operating that theatres students in planning. stay the organisation, as well as inspiring staff to apply, as the trust is a strong
and firm believer of ‘grow your own’.
There
Background:
are 223 NHS Trusts in England (Kingsfund, 2021) but only 157 have operating
theatres
In general,
(Supporting
the recruitment
Facilities
of ODPs
Data,
locally
2019/20).
is falling
There
mainly
are
due
seven
to the
NHS
course
regions
length
in
being
total,
extended (DipHE to BSc) and the tuition bursary being
abolished in September 2017. Other factors that may have an impact on recruitment to the profession could include UHDB merger, theatres over
with 4 sites, a total increased of 3,282 business operating activity, theatres. safe staffing The University for more theatre Hospitals sessions of Derby and and the new Burton operating theatres in planning.
(UHDB) There are are 223 located NHS Trusts in the in England Midlands (Kingsfund, region and 2021) is but one only of 25 157 NHS have Trusts operating within theatres (Supporting Facilities Data, 2019/20). There are seven
NHS regions in total, with a total of 3,282 operating theatres. The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) are located in the Midlands
wider Midlands region, with a total of 600 operating theatres.
region and is one of 25 NHS Trusts within the wider Midlands region, with a total of 600 operating theatres.
Table 1 details the number of trusts by region.
Table 1 details the number of trusts by region.
Table 1 – NHS England trusts by region.
London 23
Southwest 21
Southeast 22
Midlands 25
East 18
Northwest 26
Northeast & Yorkshire 22
THE
Total 157
UHDB are are one one of of only only five five Trusts Trusts Nationally Nationally with with more more than than fifty operating fifty operating theatres. theatres. There are two additional theatres opening in 2022, a Hybrid
theatre in April 2022 and a dedicated private patients theatre in the summer of 2022. This will mean that UHDB will have fifty-six operating
There theatres are and two over additional 600wte theatres staff. opening With in the 2022, number a Hybrid of patients theatre waiting in April for 2022 treatment and due to COVID-19, this was nationally estimated to be
a 4.7million currently
dedicated
(2021), in private April this 2021. patients
is That just under
theatre is half highest in the
of the number summer
registered since of 2022.
workforce, records This began will
and
mean in 45 2007. could
that Of UHDB those 4.7million patients, 387, 885 are waiting more than 52
weeks
retire within
for routine
the next
operations
5 years
and
(Aged
procedures.
51 – 65)
(BMJ, 2021). UHDB carry out more than 300 elective procedures each working day.
will have fifty-six operating theatres and over 600wte theatre staff. With the number of
Table two shows that half of the current Operating Department Practitioners (ODP) workforce could retire in the next 3-5 years at UHDB. UHDB
patients have 138 waiting ODPs currently for treatment (2021), due this is to just COVID-19, under half this of the was registered nationally workforce, estimated and to 45 be could retire within the next 5 years (Aged 51 – 65)
4.7million Current workforce in April 2021. age profile That is across the highest UHDB theatres number (ODP) since records began in 2007. Of
Current workforce age profile across UHDB theatres (ODP)
those 4.7million patients, 387, 885 are waiting more than 52 weeks for routine
operations and procedures. (BMJ, 2021). UHDB carry out more than 300 elective
procedures each working day.
Table two shows that half of the current Operating Department Practitioners (ODP)
workforce could retire in the next 3-5 years at UHDB. UHDB have 138 ODPs
Discussion:
2
The University hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) are moving to a 50/50 nurse/ODP split to keep up with retirements, maintain the current
workforce Discussion: and develop expanded service activity, as well as retain job satisfaction for nurses and ODPs, develop the current workforce, offer a
recruitment incentive as the Trust invests in the workforce and a career pathway from Apprentice HCA to Qualified ODP.
The University hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) are moving to a 50/50
nurse/ODP 8 split to keep up with retirements, THE maintain OPERATING the current THEATRE workforce JOURNAL and
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develop expanded service activity, as well as retain job satisfaction for nurses and