Whether you’re facing workforce shortages, designing rotas, defending safe staffing levels in budget discussions, or simply aiming to improve team performance and patient safety, the publication Staffing for Patients in the Perioperative Setting equips you with the frameworks, evidence and language to support those goals.
High quality perioperative care starts with having the right people, in the right place, at the right time. It depends not only on clinical expertise, but on robust staffing frameworks that enable organisations to build resilient theatre teams capable of delivering safe, effective and sustainable practice. Published by the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP), the UK’s leading organisation dedicated to progressing safer surgery, the fourth edition of Staffing for Patients in the Perioperative Setting is a trusted, practical resource for perioperative leaders, managers and practitioners committed to strengthening staffing practice and improving patient safety.
A practical, evidence-based guide to safe staffing
At its core, Staffing for Patients in the Perioperative Setting provides clear, practical and evidence-based guidance to support staffing decisions across the perioperative pathway. The publication reinforces the critical importance of maintaining risk-assessed staffing ratios to support quality care, safeguard staff wellbeing and protect patient safety in one of the most complex and high-risk areas of healthcare delivery.
Rather than relying on abstract theory, this updated edition offers practical tools that can be applied directly in the workplace, including:
- Recommended formulas for calculating safe staffing establishments
- Policy templates that can be adapted to local organisational needs
- Tools to support evidence-based decision-making around staffing numbers and budget planning
This combination of evidence and practical application makes the book invaluable not only for theatre managers and leaders, but also for clinical teams working to align rostering with patient acuity, workflow demands and safe practice standards.
Supporting safe practice in busy theatre environments
Perioperative settings, particularly hospital theatres, are inherently dynamic and high-risk. Every phase of the patient journey, from reception and anaesthesia through to surgery and recovery, depends on effective coordination, continuity and appropriate skill mix.
Strong staffing frameworks are essential for:
- Ensuring safe patient positioning, monitoring and transfer
- Reducing the risk of staff fatigue and burnout
- Preventing errors and adverse events through adequate skill mix and team continuity
Research consistently demonstrates the link between sufficient staffing levels, appropriate skill mix and improved patient outcomes, underlining why practical tools such as those provided in this publication are so impactful for perioperative teams.
Safe staffing as the foundation of quality care
Lindsay Keeley, AfPP Clinical Patient Safety Quality Lead, highlights the direct relationship between staffing, patient outcomes and team wellbeing, and the need for clear guidance to support safe practice.
She says: “To ensure there is a safe environment for patients and perioperative staff alike, it is important that there are suitable recommendations and guidance in place.”
This insight sits at the heart of Staffing for Patients in the Perioperative Setting, which exists to give perioperative teams actionable, well-grounded resources that reinforce safe staffing as a non-negotiable foundation of quality care.
Who should read this book?
This publication is particularly valuable for:
- Theatre and perioperative managers seeking evidence-based models to justify and plan staffing
- Clinical leaders and educators supporting teams and advocating for best practice
- Policy makers and workforce planners within NHS trusts and independent healthcare settings
- Perioperative practitioners, including nurses, operating department practitioners (ODPs) and allied health professionals delivering frontline care
Whether you’re navigating workforce shortages, redesigning rotas, defending safe staffing in budget discussions, or striving to enhance team performance and patient safety, this book provides the tools and terminology to influence decisions and drive improvement.
A must-have reference for safe staffing advocacy
“Staffing for Patients in the Perioperative Setting isn’t just another clinical title – it’s a strategic tool that helps perioperative professionals translate staffing principles into practice,” says Lindsay.
She adds: “By combining evidence-based recommendations, practical templates and a safety-centred philosophy, it empowers practitioners to influence organisational decisions and enhance theatre practice standards. The book underlines the reality that safe staffing is fundamental to quality perioperative care.
“For perioperative professionals invested in safety, clinical excellence and informed workforce planning, this book deserves a place on both your shelf and in your practice toolkit.”
You can find out more about Staffing for Patients in the Perioperative Setting and purchase the book here:
https://www.afpp.org.uk/books/staffing-for-patients-in-the-perioperative-setting-fourth-edition-2/
The book is available to AfPP members at £22 and to non-members at £32. Join AfPP now to enjoy a £10 saving – full details on membership are available here:
https://www.afpp.org.uk/membership/join-now/