In February 2020, while training an operating theatre team, Danielle, who trained as a nurse and has worked in medical sales for nearly 20 years, was asked to write her name and role on her disposable theatre hat. Realising the potential benefits of this simple practice, she became determined to introduce personalised, reusable theatre caps across the UK.
Through her research, Danielle discovered a lack of suppliers offering latex-free, personalised theatre hats—especially those with expertise in medical sales. Seeing this gap, she founded Eco Ninjas and partnered with her brother, Neil Draper, who brought expertise in finance, business, and web design. Together, they recognised the transformative impact named theatre hats could have on efficiency and safety in operating theatres.
Eco Ninjas (formerly Warwick Med) has spent over three years supplying reusable, embroidered theatre caps to NHS hospitals nationwide, gaining extensive experience along the way. The team has worked with universities, sustainability experts, and consultants to conduct evaluations and microbial studies, deepening their understanding of both the benefits and challenges of personalised, reusable theatre hats. Their research and expertise have led to the development of a new range of innovative, fully inclusive theatre hats designed to enhance both sustainability and workplace efficiency.
Eco Ninjas is an AfPP sponsor in 2025 and recently exhibited at our first in a series of 12 Regional Conferences, which was held in Manchester. Later in the year Danielle will be taking part in an AfPP webinar on Human Factors, to speak about the importance of communication in operating theatres. It is something she is intensely passionate about and wants to break barriers and cut waste in hospital theatres.
We were delighted to hear more about the story behind Eco Ninjas, and their mission to introduce sustainable, named theatre caps, and transform communication, safety, and environmental impact in UK operating theatres.
Eco Ninjas founders Danielle and Neil are determined to make a difference. Danielle saw firsthand the challenges of communication and the excessive waste generated in hospital theatres. Neil, sharing her passion for sustainability and innovation, joined forces with her to create a practical, eco-friendly solution to improve both efficiency and environmental impact. Together, they launched Eco Ninjas to address these pressing issues head-on.
Danielle also has personal experience of being a patient in theatre during a C-section. During the C-section birth she vividly remembers a lovely member of staff who provided her with much-needed reassurance during the procedure, but to this day, she does not know their name. She reflects that she would have loved to know and thank them properly, reinforcing her belief in the importance of clear identification in theatre settings.
“It’s such a vulnerable time for a patient, and that human connection means everything. Knowing the name of the person caring for you makes a huge difference,” said Danielle.
Danielle said that traditionally, UK hospitals have relied on single-use disposable theatre caps made from non-biodegradable materials. While these caps serve their purpose in maintaining hygiene and cleanliness, they contribute significantly to hospital waste. Thousands of disposable caps are discarded daily, adding to the already mounting environmental burden of the healthcare industry.
Furthermore, the lack of name and role identification on standard caps can lead to inefficiencies in communication. A 2013 study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that poor communication is a leading cause of errors in surgical settings. In fact, Danielle highlighted that 70% of adverse events in hospital theatres are due to communication failures, making it essential to ensure staff can quickly and accurately identify each other.
“If we can prevent even one mistake, one delay, one moment of confusion in theatre, then this is worth doing,” she said.
She said that knowing who is who in theatre is crucial—not only for seamless teamwork but also to differentiate between medical professionals, expectant fathers, medical representatives, and actual theatre staff. In high-pressure situations, instant recognition of roles can prevent confusion and improve efficiency.
Danielle said surgeons have commented to her that they are unable to remember staff names after the morning brief, and the names and roles on hats really helps them.
“We’ve heard stories of people mistaking an expectant dad or a medical rep for staff members because there was no clear identification. That’s a risk we can easily eliminate with named caps,” Danielle explained.
She said not only do the Eco Ninjas theatre hats, featuring name badges secured with press studs, contribute to a greener NHS in line with the new Green Theatre Checklist, but they also enhance teamwork, reduce stress, and improve patient outcomes.
Danielle explained Eco Ninjas hats are designed with practicality and hygiene in mind. The hats are made from durable, washable materials that can be laundered just like scrubs, ensuring they remain clean and ready for use in any theatre setting. The name badges on each cap, which can be pre-printed or written on with name and role, are also easy to maintain – they can be wiped clean with any hard surface disinfectant wipe or simply washed with soap and water.
Eco Ninjas is working to become an NHS preferred supplier and has achieved ISO 9001 Certification, demonstrating their commitment to high-quality standards and continuous improvement in healthcare solutions.
You can find out more about Eco Ninjas by visiting their website: https://www.econinjas.co.uk/
Picture shows Danielle and her brother Neil wearing the Eco Ninjas hats.
