Professional bodies typically promote the profession, represent their members and provide curriculum frameworks, training and CPD.
Whilst these organisations are separate from the HCPC, their role may be complementary to ours.
Professional bodies for operating department practitioners include:
Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP)
AfPP was established as the National Association of Theatre Nurses, NATN, in 1964. As a membership organisation and registered charity, AfPP works to enhance skills and knowledge within operating departments, associated areas and sterile services departments. They aim to enhance the quality of care and patient safety in the NHS and the independent sector throughout the UK.
College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP)
The College was founded in 1945 and is the professional body for operating department practitioners. It holds and develops the pre-registration curriculum and represents the profession with governmental arm’s length bodies, professional colleges and associations, as well as through membership of multiprofessional collaborative bodies. It aims is to raise awareness of the profession to fellow healthcare professionals and members of the public.
The College provides support and advice to its members and represents operating department practitioners in aspects of professional, educational and workplace matters. It undertakes quality assurance processes for pre-registration education provisions including endorsement of programmes and monitoring of these programmes.
Other organisations
We work closely with both trade unions and professional bodies. Some professional bodies we work with are themselves trade unions or have close formal links to them. You can find more information about the other organisations we work with on the trade unions section.