The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) has appointed experienced health professional Jennifer Maher as its Education Lead, a new role introduced to develop and improve our educational offering to our members.

Jennifer, who has worked in the NHS for 26 years, is intent on delivering quality, relevant educational content to support AfPP members to become the best theatre practitioners they can be, improving patient care and safety.

“With all the challenges within healthcare, education is paramount and impacts significantly on the wellbeing and safety of theatre practitioners and patients,” said Jennifer.

Jennifer added: “I spent many years working as a perioperative practitioner within the NHS and AfPP has been invaluable throughout my career; no other organisation offers what AfPP does, and I am so looking forward to working with existing and new members to deliver the best educational content possible.

“There are major challenges within healthcare that we need to address and educate practitioners about, with huge changes in technology, changing ways in working, and pressure to reduce waiting lists.

“There are cultural changes taking place, and the impact of human factors in healthcare, for instance, is much more to the fore, with recognition of the critical part it plays in patient safety and outcomes. People now feel more empowered to challenge things, but there is still much work to be done.”

“We’re delighted to have Jennifer onboard,” said Alex Duke, CEO of AfPP.

“Her personal experience of working as a perioperative practitioner and subsequent roles in healthcare give her a deep understanding of the issues that matter most.”

Jennifer, who lives in Liverpool, was a dental nurse prior to starting her career as a student perioperative practitioner at Royal Liverpool University Hospital, where she worked for 17 years. She then moved to Aintree University Hospital, and later to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where she moved into an education role, and became involved with AfPP, as a Regional Lead, and then a Trustee.

Picture shows Jennifer.