Healthy hands are essential for safe surgical practice. This session explores the impact of repeated latex exposure, the importance of evidence-based hand hygiene products and occupational health measures to protect skin integrity. It will cover best practice in scrubbing, the 5 Moments for hand hygiene and maintaining bare below the elbows standards. Practical advice will also be shared on caring for hands at home to prevent long-term skin damage and support sustained compliance with infection prevention and control principles in the operating theatre.

Session delivered by: Mel Burden, Consultant Nurse & Joint Director of Infection Prevention and Control, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Psychological safety is vital in the operating theatre, where teamwork and communication directly affect patient outcomes. This session explores what psychological safety is, why it matters, and the behaviours that can undermine it, while offering practical strategies to build supportive, high-performing teams where every voice is valued, staff wellbeing is protected, and patient safety is strengthened.

Session delivered by: Jenny Maher, AfPP Education Lead, AfPP (Association for Perioperative Practice)

A critical look at current practice in VTE prevention and where it differs to published guidance, to include a review of the evidence for various thromboprophyalxis modalities.

Session delivered by: Emma Gee, Nurse Consultant, Thrombosis & Coagulation, King’s College Hospital

Chaired by: Professor Ian Peate OBE, Editor in Chief, British Journal of Nursing

Mel Burden, Consultant Nurse & Joint Director of Infection Prevention and Control, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Jenny Maher, AfPP Education Lead, AfPP (Association for Perioperative Practice)

Emma Gee, Nurse Consultant, Thrombosis & Coagulation, King’s College Hospital

Chaired by: Professor Ian Peate OBE, Editor in Chief, British Journal of Nursing

Mel Burden, Consultant Nurse & Joint Director of Infection Prevention and Control, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Jenny Maher, AfPP Education Lead, AfPP (Association for Perioperative Practice)

Emma Gee, Nurse Consultant, Thrombosis & Coagulation, King’s College Hospital