Craig Griffiths

Craig began his career in healthcare while still a university student, taking on a weekend role in sterile services. His journey into perioperative practice truly began when he became a theatre assistant at St Michael’s Hospital, where he discovered the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) profession and met his future wife. Inspired, Craig pursued a degree in Operating Department Practice at Cardiff University, completing placements within what is now the Swansea Bay University Health Board.

After graduating, Craig returned to Bristol to work as a Paediatric Anaesthetic and Recovery Practitioner at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BCH). It was here that his passion for education and professional development took root. Together with his colleague, Justin Blackett, Craig co-created PIPcast, a podcast dedicated to ODPs and the perioperative field, aiming to raise awareness of the profession. Through PIPcast, Craig became actively involved with the AfPP conference, contributing as a co-comperé and delivering insightful round-up talks—a role he has proudly fulfilled for over five years.

In 2018, Craig returned to academia, joining his alma mater as a lecturer. By 2021, he became the course leader for the newly established ODP program at the University of South Wales. Craig and his colleague, Deborah Ryan, designed the programme with the guiding mantra of “me and mine,” emphasising a personalised and practitioner-focused approach to education.

In this role, Craig has championed the integration of simulation-based learning into anaesthetics and surgery training. He has supported the development of innovative spontaneous simulation models, primarily for anaesthetics and recovery practice, created by his colleague Ash Davies. Separately, Craig has developed innovative surgical simulation models specifically tailored to enhance teaching and training for surgical first assistant practice.

Craig is deeply committed to the mission of the AfPP, advocating for the highest standards of patient care and supporting the professional development of perioperative practitioners. Throughout his career, he has taken great pride in fostering teamwork and collaboration, believing these values are central to achieving excellence in patient care and professional practice. His dedication to education and partnership continues to drive positive change in the field.