The student conference has been postponed to take place at Birmingham City University on Saturday 13 November 2010. Despite the tremendous enthusiasm and interest shown, feedback has also been that March is not the best time of year for a student conference. We have listened and so moved it back.
The move will also enable us to welcome new students, present some of the new CODP services being developed over the coming months, and ensure a really useful conference for students. We look forward to welcoming you there.
For those who have already purchased tickets you will remain eligible to attend even if in November you are no longer a student.
Entries for the poster presentation will still be valid.
College Statement on Influenza A(H1N1)
Issued 30 October 2009
Care of the Critically Ill patient from Swine Flu:
Many of you are aware that Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer has announced that the management of the Swine Flu Pandemic will be to stop all routine admissions and surgery and redeploying staff to other areas (critical care). I am sure you have already been briefed about the contingency plans for your units.
The College wishes to offer advice and some key documents to support and guide you through potential changes to working practice. Please find below the following documents:
College Statement Issued 30th October 2009 - gives advice on a summary of the critical systems that may need to be dealt with. It recommends reading; websites and the areas to update your knowledge in preparation of potentially being re-deployed and managing the critically ill patient
Support for NHS Staff working in Exceptional Circumstances Revised 011009 from the Intensive Care Society - document sets out some valuable information regarding support for staff who maybe involved in exceptional working circumstances. It is aimed at the employer but it is relevant to you the practitioner in the areas that need to be explored as part of the preparation for possible changes in working conditions. The College feel sections 2 and 3 are particularly relevant.
MHRA Advice sheet on Adverse drug reaction (awareness rising) - an information sheet of adverse drug reaction, highlighting the need for consideration of patients who present and their prior medical history and drug/care therapy.
Department of Health Swine flu clinical package for use when there are exceptional demands on healthcare services - The tools and pathways in the Swine Flu Clinical package are intended to provide a framework for consistent decision-making when excessive demand is severely challenging the capacity of healthcare services, staffing levels are depleted, and triage is being undertaken by staff who do not usually work in emergency departments or acute admissions units.
Please do not hesitate to contact the College if you have any need of clarification or further details.
CODP National Student Conference: 'PCT - patient care and technology'
We are pleased to announce that the first CODP national Student Conference and Exhibition is being held on 26 March 2010 at Birmingham City University.
Book now as places are limited.
Please click here to download your registration form. Once you have completed your registration form simply email it to office@codp.org.uk reserve your place.
Staffing of Obstetric Theatres Document
The College has published an important document on staffing of obstetric theatres. You are encouraged to read this document and push for implementation in your own departments.
Click here to view document
*IMPORTANT* - College Statement
The College recognises that pay for on-call and stand-by duties can make a significant contribution to the income of individual ODPs and we would expect the current of review of emergency duty payments to recognise this fact and to ensure that members of the profession are appropriately rewarded for providing cover during unsocial hours.
We are though concerned that future arrangements should not endorse working practices and rotas that significantly compromise a practitioners right to appropriate periods of rest, as defined by the European Working Times Directive and articulated in Section 27 of the Agenda for Change Service Handbook. Appropriate periods of rest are important for the welfare of the individual practitioner and their effectiveness and ability in the clinical environment. Inadequate rest may ultimately compromise patient safety.
It is generally, well understood that employees should receive an average of 11 hours of rest in each 24 hour period and that this may be averaged over a 17 week reference period. It is perhaps less-well recognised that employees are entitled to 35 hours of uninterrupted rest in each 7 day period, or 70 hours of rest in each period of 14 days. This rest should be either one continuous period of 70 hours or two separate 35 hour periods. This requirement should be recognised in any rota that requires the practitioner to provide on-call cover over a weekend period as each call or other work related activity will breach the continuity of what would otherwise be a period of rest (time spent 'standing-by', where the practitioner is required to sleep in the hospital, counts as working time).
Bill Kilvington
President
The College of Operating Department Practitioners
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Online membership applications!
You can now renew or apply for membership online.
Click here |
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Thinking of returning to practice as an Operating Department Practioner? Read our guide for practitioners who wish to return to clinical practice following periods of absence:
Returning to Practice:
You can purchase a hard copy of Returning to Practice for £4.95. Please contact the CODP office at office@codp.org.uk to order a copy.
CODP Mentor Standards
CODP "Standards, guidance and recommendations for mentors and practice placements" document now available!
You can purchase a hard copy of this document for acls recertification online. Please contact the CODP office on office@codp.org.uk to order a copy.
CODP Clinical Links
If you want to be involved with the College of Operating Department Practitioners and become the 'clinical voice' of the profession within your own workplace please contact the CODP office at office@codp.org.uk
Fantastic New Publication!
Operating Department Practice, Clinical Pocket Reference.
NB stock shortages of this title at other UK retailers - order NOW from CODP!!!