National Operating Department Practice Day: 80 years celebrating the profession

May 14, 2025 celebrates the 80th anniversary of the operating department practitioner (ODP) role: one of the many Allied Health Professions who are committed to caring for their patients, yet a role that remains mysterious to this day. We are hoping to shine a light on this rewarding profession, and the student ODPs we are proud to have here at Wrexham University enrolled on our BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice course.

The college of Operating Department Practitioners have chosen the slogan “Operating Department Practitioners: Committed to Care - Committed to Safety” for this year’s celebrations and we could not agree with this decision more. The ODP role is known as: “the patient advocate”- a health care professional who is committed to the care and safety of the service user at their most vulnerable. Our students fully embody the values expected of the ODP and we could not be prouder to see them contribute to the professional workforce.

A Brief History

Despite the short timeline, the previous 80 years have been filled with great milestones for the ODP profession. Our story, however, did not start in 1945 when six men, lead by Stan Warner, birthed the Association for Operating Theatre Technicians, as the ODP role has many predecessors who paved the way for our profession. Some influential roles have been highlighted below:

• The Handlers: Back before the days of anaesthesia and pain relief, handlers were needed to safely restrain patients
• Surgerymen: In the 1800s, the focus shifted to maintaining surgical instruments- a role that is still important for the modern ODP
• Box Carriers, Beadles, and Porters: A shift yet again, this time with greater focus on supporting the surgeon with their surgical procedures, and keeping order within the hospital environment

Modern Day 

Now, we are a profession with 15,697 Registered individuals across the UK, yet our impact can be felt internationally. The ODP has the skillset to: 

• Supporting the surgeon throughout surgery, including safe management of surgical instruments
• Assistance in anaesthesia, including airway management in routine surgery and emergency outreach situation
• Caring for the patient/service user immediately after surgery, ensuring they are safe and comfortable 

Student Experiences

We could not celebrate National ODP day without hearing from our current students! We have captured some of their key moments and thoughts to share with you. We gained answers to the following questions:

How did you find out about the ODP role?

Jemma shared that she “actually found out all about the ODP role whilst looking at roles in the RAF.” Jemma has travelled from overseas to train and study at Wrexham University. At the time, she “was in my last year of high school struggling to decide what I would do following school” when she discovered the profession.

Charlotte, like many, “found out about the ODP role after joining the theatre team as a Theatre Assistant”, working alongside ODP’s for the first time. 

Graham also learned about the role while working in the operating department as a domestic assistant. He found that “sparking conversations” with staff lead to him “asking questions which gave me the answers to what is now, my future career path”.

What are your highlights so far?

Graham: “I get the opportunity to work with amazing professionals who have undergone years of training to be able to carry out the miracles that they do.”

“You are able to gain quality insight of certain workings and areas of practice, and in turn, will lift your confidence when faced with real world challenges which you will undoubtably see.”

Jemma: “We are such crucial members of the theatre team, and it feels special that we are needed”

“ [A highlight of my academic journey has been] - Definitely all the simulations and hands on learning we have gotten to do”.

Charlotte: “I am proud to be coming to the end of my 2nd year and my children telling me they are proud of their mum doing a degree.”

“[A highlight of my academic journey has been] simulation days and working interprofessionaly with other students and professionals. I've loved every minute of placements and being involved in the patients care and journey and being part of amazing teams.”

Andy: “ODPs make a tangible positive difference to people's lives every single day, and I find that very rewarding.”

“I've really enjoyed the lectures, and, looking back, I'm amazed at just how much I've learned during my first year.”

“The teaching and guidance and support from the tutors is second to none and you feel that you can apply what you learn in university to placement practice confidently!” 

Hearing from our Betsi Practice Educator Facilitator (PEFs)

Our PEF teams are integral to ensuring student ODPs are prepared for the workforce and have the skillset needed to provide the best standard of care. On ODP day, we wanted to capture the voice of our placement providers, who support us with the development of our future generation of ODPs. When discussing the views of registered theatre practitioners, they spoke highly of our students and the developing working relationships they have witnessed. 

“Our staff have always been receptive to student ODP’s and are keen to support them and see them do well” Our PEF team at the Wrexham Maelor began, “[Staff] are really committed to seeing them progress. You can see and feel that in attitudes of the team towards them.”

When reflecting on their journey with our students, they were quick to share their proudest moments with us: “Sounds cheesy, but just seeing them flourish. Seeing their confidence grow from day one, seeing them become part of the team. It's good to see them when they have their little 'wins', see how pleased they are.”

Looking to the future, the PEFs added: “But hopefully the proudest moment will come in the coming months, when the first cohort qualify and begin working alongside us as qualified practitioners.”

We also asked if they had any advice for those who are considering embarking on the journey to become an ODP: “Do it!! It's a cracking, rewarding career. You'll learn loads of new skills, make new friends, face different challenges every day, all whilst helping the public when they need it most.”

Looking to the Future

For our students and registered ODPs, things are only getting better! ODPs are expanding their roles beyond the operating theatre. You can find ODPs in the following settings:

• Clinical Education and Training 
• Accident and Emergency Departments 
• Intensive Care Units 
• Transfer Teams 

We are also seeing more ODPs in advance roles, such as the Surgical First Assistant and the Anaesthetic Associate. Not to mention, there is currently an ODP sitting as a Member of Parliament! 

If this blog has inspired you to find out more, you can read more about the profession and our course here, or join us for one of our upcoming open days.