14 May 2021

Our Operating Department Practitioners take centre stage as we celebrate ODP Day at Frimley Health. Hear from four of the the team about their experiences during the pandemic. 

Ashley Boursnall - ODP

"I went from planned elective surgeries to being redeployed to an acute hospital, working alongside ITU staff, assisting the intubation team, transferring patients to other acute hospitals or wards as well as aiding anaesthetists during emergency & trauma surgery.

The pandemic has allowed me to have a better understanding of where the strengths of being an ODP really lies. Being able to support in any small way such dedicated people from all over the hospital, trust and country during the worst crisis that many of us have ever seen has been my privilege.

I admire all the practitioners and staff I worked alongside during this time and want them all to know how proud I am to have helped them with the care they could provide." 

Nicola Door - Theatre Practice Development ODP

“The start of Covid presented a massive training task for us in the Theatre Practice Development Team. We were able to work alongside our ICU and Anaesthetist colleagues to provide training for all theatre staff on airway management and ventilators, proning of patients and donning and doffing of PPE.

A large part of my role throughout both waves was providing support and a listening ear to those that had been redeployed as well as those keeping theatres running.

I have never been prouder of my profession and to be part of an amazing team.”

Brenda Furusa - ODP

“As challenging as it has been, I am glad to be back from maternity leave. However, I felt vulnerable with all the changes due to the pandemic, add redeployment to the mix.

Suffice to say we all pulled through! I am one proud ODP.”

Poonam Puri - Senior ODP

“I am a Senior ODP and have been with the NHS for over 20 years. I have been fortunate to gain experience in a wide range of specialities and work with some extremely capable colleagues.

Being redeployed during Covid was unsettling at first but we all quickly learned to adapt to the challenge and deal with the crisis as best we could. I realized that I was able to adapt my existing anaesthetic skills to deal with the change in circumstances.

This demonstrates the value of our ODP profession and how significant it has been during this pandemic.”