In this month’s behind the scenes we meet the theatre assistants from the South West Ambulatory Orthopaedic Centre (SWAOC) at our Nightingale Hospital Exeter. Making more productive use of our theatre space will help us tackle our challenges, and the SWAOC team are already doing amazing work, with patients often able to go home the same day as their surgery.

Hannah, Sarah, Slamowira, and Rahul are part of a fantastic team who play a vital role in supporting our surgical team and ensuring patients feel safe, comfortable, and cared for throughout their surgery.

Pictured above, theatre assistants Hannah, Sarah, Slamowira, and Rahul

Tell us a little about your role?

Theatre assistants help with everything needed during procedures, working closely with scrub practitioners, surgeons, and anaesthetists. This includes assisting patients, helping prepare theatres for operations, supporting colleagues during surgery. 

What does a typical day look like?

Our mornings begin with setting up theatres, making sure all necessary equipment is in place for the day’s surgeries. We then take patients to the anaesthetic room, and play a key role in helping them feel at ease. Once in theatre, we provide essential support with monitoring, supplies, computer work, and assisting the surgical team. After each procedure, we clean and reset the theatre, ready to begin again.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

For Hannah and Sarah, it’s working alongside a great team and experiencing the sense of accomplishment that comes with being part of life-changing operations.

Slamowira enjoys helping patients: “I like talking to them, calming them down and making sure they are happy and not stressed about anything.”

Rahul says: “What I enjoy the most is the opportunity to learn new things every day.”

How does your work contribute to patient care and the wider team?

Slamowira shares: “The patient feels safer and happier knowing that if I am collecting them, I’ll also be in the theatre during their operation. Sometimes I speak to them afterwards on the ward to see how they are feeling.”

Rahul adds: “I’m proud to be part of a wonderful team that makes patients’ lives easier by giving excellent care".

What might people be surprised to learn about your role?

The job requires a great deal of learning to build the right knowledge and efficiency. This ensures the best outcomes for patients and keeps theatre schedules running smoothly.