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Now in its eighth year, the Faculty of Perioperative Care Annual Conference returns on Saturday 19 November 2022. It will be a landmark event for the Faculty, as the first in-person FPC Conference since the pandemic, plus the first time the conference will be held at the College in Edinburgh.
Co-Convenors of the conference, Susan Hall and Bhuvaneswari Krishnamoorthy provide an insight into what delegates can expect from the sessions, the inspiration behind the theme and what they are most looking forward to on the return of the conference.
Q- What are you most looking forward to on the return of the FPC Annual Conference?
SH The opportunity that it will provide for delegates to meet up face to face and be able to network. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for those who haven’t previously done so to visit the College buildings in Edinburgh.
BK Awareness, future collaboration, education and social networking. (ACES)
Q- What was the inspiration for the theme?
SH The need for practitioners to feel safe in delivering the care that their patients need. This may be physical safety, or it may be something more pragmatic such as professional and financial safety in the event of an untoward incident. Surgical skills ensure that practitioners can deliver effective patient care and the collaborative sessions with industry partners the day before the conference are designed to enable this.
Finally, undercurrents within a surgical team can be disruptive to patient care and following on from last year’s virtual conference it was decided to invite speakers from across the interprofessional spectrum to discuss their views on working within a multidisciplinary, extended surgical team.
BK Multidisciplinary teamwork (MDT) and its implications. MDT creates a vibrant workforce to deliver the best healthcare and brings a joyful atmosphere for the patient and staff. It is not only beneficial for healthcare staff and patients, but it is very cost-effective.
Q- How will delegates benefit from attending this conference?
SH They will gain insights into the way in which they can safely progress in their chosen role whilst working collaboratively within the extended surgical team. They will also have the opportunity to hear about research projects relevant to the surgical care team.
BK The programme contains various elements of multidisciplinary teamwork, interactions, and interactive hands-on surgical skill stations at the pre-conference surgical skills workshops. There will also be a poster and oral competition which will enhance the candidate’s learning and provide them with an opportunity to disseminate their excellent work. Delegates will also be able to network and collaborate with their national peers.
Q- There will be a presentation on indemnity cover. Why is this important for perioperative practitioners?
SH There is often a lack of clarity with regards to the need for professional indemnity insurance, with assumptions made that could be erroneous. This session is designed to improve delegates’ understanding of the need for and benefits of professional indemnity cover.
BK This will create an awareness among junior perioperative practitioners to obtain the indemnity cover before they start practicing in private practices. It helps to protect them legally and financially if there is any lawsuit and provides them peace of mind.
Most assume that their NHS indemnity cover will protect them when they go and work with their surgeon. So, this session will give them an insight into the subject.
Q- We will be hearing from a surgeon and a trainee about their experience of working with non-medical members of the extended surgical team. What do you think delegates can learn from this?
SH That collaborative practice is of more benefit to patients and the extended surgical team than combative attitudes. By hearing about the aspects of training and practice that surgeons consider to be key factors in their relationships with non-medical practitioners it is hoped that delegates will feel better able to support and be supported by surgical colleagues.
BK There is always another side of a coin. So, it is going to be exciting to hear both perspectives on a same platform. It is important that we work as an MDT to provide the best healthcare. It is not a competition, and we should support each other during and after the training period as a junior surgeon or as a practitioner.
Training together supports both healthcare staff to achieve the best learning environment with great academic knowledge.
There’s still time to book your place at the conference. There will also be a pre-conference surgical skills workshop taking place on Friday 18 November and places are still available. The Faculty of Perioperative Care looks forward to seeing you soon in Edinburgh.
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