The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) is delighted to announce that from October 2025, all paying AfPP members will automatically receive digital access to the Standards & Recommendations for Safe Perioperative Practice as part of their membership.
Updated in 2022, the AfPP Standards are the definitive, evidence-based guide for perioperative practitioners across the UK. They cover a wide range of essential topics, including:
- Intraoperative surgical care
- Governance
- Infection prevention and control
- Preoperative considerations
- Perioperative equipment
- Post anaesthetic care
The Standards are widely recognised as the essential reference tool for every hospital theatre department, helping practitioners deliver safe, high-quality care while supporting professional development and compliance with best practice.
“Making the AfPP Standards part of membership reflects our commitment to putting members at the heart of everything we do,” said AfPP CEO Alex Duke.
Alex added: “The Standards are the cornerstone of safe perioperative practice. By including them in membership, we are ensuring that our members have instant access to the guidance they need to deliver excellent patient care every day. We are also working on a new version of the Standards, which will be published next year, ensuring our guidance continues to reflect the latest evidence and best practice.”
Previously, full access to the Standards was only available in print for members at £120 or for non-members at £165. From October, the publication will be automatically included digitally in all paid membership renewals, representing a significant added value.
Student members, whose AfPP membership is free, do not automatically receive access, but they can purchase the Standards for just £15 to gain full access. Members wishing to access the Standards before their renewal date can also pay £15 for early digital access.
Written by practitioners, for practitioners, the AfPP Standards are updated to reflect the latest evidence-based best practice. They serve not only as a practical guide for day-to-day theatre work but also as a tool guiding the structured development of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) that align with robust governance principles to enhance safety and ensure consistent compliance across multidisciplinary teams.
All future revisions will be available digitally to members renewing or paying for early access.
For more information about membership and access to the Standards & Recommendations for Safe Perioperative Practice, visit https://www.afpp.org.uk/membership, or call us on 01423 881 300 or email membership@afpp.org.uk.