COURSE CURRICULUM

The Operating Department Practice programme follows a structured three-year curriculum designed to develop students into competent, confident, and professional Operating Department Practitioners capable of delivering safe and effective perioperative care. During the first year, students establish strong foundations in healthcare practice through modules including Personal and Professional Development for Health and Wellbeing, Fundamentals of Person-Centred Care in Operating Department Practice, Foundations of Anatomy and Physiology to Support Clinical Practice, and Foundations of Perioperative Care. These modules introduce students to human anatomy and physiology, patient-centred care, professional responsibilities, and the principles of perioperative practice across anaesthesia, surgery, and post-operative recovery settings. Practice Based Learning modules provide early opportunities to develop essential clinical skills and apply theoretical knowledge within supervised clinical environments. In the second year, students build on this knowledge through modules such as Introduction to Surgical Practice and Disease Pathology, Pharmacology, Research Design, and Managing Operative Care in the Complex Patient. These modules develop students' understanding of surgical procedures, disease processes, medication management, and the care of patients with complex clinical needs. Practice-Based Learning modules at this stage focus on strengthening clinical decision-making abilities, leadership skills, and the management of patient care within multidisciplinary healthcare teams. During the final year, students undertake more advanced and specialised study through modules including Quality, Innovation and Service Improvement in Clinical Practice, Advanced Anaesthesia, Advanced Surgery, and further practice-based learning experiences. Students develop expertise in advanced anaesthetic and surgical procedures while gaining an understanding of healthcare quality improvement, service development, and innovation within perioperative environments. The final practice modules focus on mastering complex clinical skills and preparing students to lead and manage care safely and effectively within operating departments and associated clinical areas. Throughout all three years, extensive clinical placements and practical learning experiences allow students to work alongside surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals while developing confidence and professional competence in real healthcare settings. Overall, the programme combines scientific knowledge, clinical expertise, practical training, and leadership development to prepare graduates for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and successful careers as Operating Department Practitioners.