The operating department practitioner (ODP) workforce is uniquely skilled and vital to the delivery of care in the 21st century (Health Education England, 2022). The updated NHS England workforce plan (2024) discusses their evolving role and suggests a strategic focus on enhancing their education to better prepare them for expanded responsibilities and to optimise their contribution to the workforce. The plan emphasises the importance of including theatre first assistant training in ODP education.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England (2025) defines the surgical first assistant as a registered health professional who provides ‘continuous competent and dedicated assistance under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon… whilst not performing any form of surgical intervention’. The objective is to prepare ODPs to play a more active role, such as assisting surgeons directly during procedures, which can improve efficiency and effectiveness. By also incorporating critical care training into the pre-registration curriculum, the plan aims to equip ODPs with the ability to manage patients in critical care settings and broadens their scope of practice.
This approach addresses workforce shortages and improves service delivery by enabling ODPs to take on more complex and varied roles. Explicitly recognising and leveraging their advanced skills, the plan aims to transform perceptions of the ODP role, acknowledging their capabilities, positioning them as integral to improving patient care and elevating their status as skilled clinicians.
The partnership between registered nurses (RNs) and ODPs in operating theatres and critical care settings brings with it significant strengths and opportunities, particularly in terms of complementary skills and patient safety. RNs excel in patient management and holistic nursing, while ODPs specialise in perioperative care, including anaesthesia, surgical assistance and post-anaesthesia recovery.
With growing healthcare demands, there are opportunities for RNs and ODPs to take on advanced roles through additional education. This can bridge workforce gaps and enhance professional development. When there is increased collaboration, this leads to better integration of teams across departments, improving transitions between theatre, critical care and general wards.
However, with collaborative working there are potential issues of concern. Overlapping responsibilities may lead to tensions or inefficiencies, especially if roles are not clearly defined or respected. Perceived competition between RNs and ODPs may cause friction and hinder collaboration. Inadequate staffing, lack of education and training opportunities or funding may limit the ability of both professions to work effectively together. Where there are long-standing hierarchical or siloed practices this may slow the adoption of collaborative models. High demands made on staff in operating theatres and critical care settings can also strain collaboration.
Building mutual respect and trust between RNs and ODPs is imperative. Interprofessional education programmes can foster an understanding of each other's roles, bridging gaps in knowledge and reducing professional rivalry. Implementing shared leadership models, wherein RNs and ODPs have a voice in decision-making, can create a more inclusive, collaborative environment.
It is essential to monitor and evaluate collaborative efforts regularly. Feedback mechanisms should be in place to allow team members to voice concerns and identify areas for improvement. Performance metrics on, for example, patient satisfaction, team morale and efficiency, can help demonstrate the positive impact of collaboration and highlight areas for further improvement.
Promoting collaborative working between RNs and ODPs requires a multifaceted approach that emphasises clear role definitions, mutual respect, professional equity, education and organisational support. Addressing these issues systematically can enable healthcare teams to create an environment of trust, shared purpose and effective collaboration, ultimately improving both patient care and team satisfaction.