Operating Department Practice
Operating department practitioners are qualified healthcare professionals who work alongside surgeons and anaesthetists in theatre environments, playing an essential role in preparing patients for surgery, supporting them through the anaesthetic and operative phases, and assisting in their recovery. While doctors and nurses are often the public face of healthcare, ODPs are indispensable members of the perioperative team, combining technical knowledge of drugs, equipment and sterile technique with the patient-centred care skills that make a real difference to people at a vulnerable moment.
At London South Bank University this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year available for those who need additional academic preparation before entering the full degree. The course is structured around both classroom and clinical learning, with significant time spent on placement in NHS operating theatres and related healthcare settings, where you will gain the direct experience needed to register as a qualified practitioner. You will learn about anaesthetic science, surgical scrub techniques, recovery care, pharmacology, patient safety, infection control and the ethical and legal frameworks that govern perioperative practice.
The course is designed to lead to registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, which is the regulatory requirement for practising as an ODP. The typical entry tariff for the programme is around 104 UCAS points.
Qualified ODPs work primarily in NHS operating theatres and day surgery units, but the role also extends into anaesthetic and recovery nursing care, critical care and pre-hospital emergency settings. The profession is regulated and in consistent demand, with the NHS facing ongoing workforce pressures in perioperative services. Career progression can lead to advanced practitioner roles, theatre management, education and research.
Some ODPs also use the qualification as a foundation for further study in nursing, physician associate practice or other allied health professions.