AfPP Behaviours Charter
Championing civility, safety and collaboration in the perioperative environment
The AfPP Behaviours Charter is a comprehensive framework grounded in the belief that civility, empathy, and professionalism are just as vital as clinical proficiency.
Centred around the ethos of Sign Up to Civility, the Charter sets clear expectations for how perioperative professionals should interact with patients, colleagues, and the wider surgical team.
Endorsed by the Centre for Perioperative Care and Civility Saves Lives, the AfPP Behaviour Charter calls on all perioperative staff to commit to a behavioural standard that ensures the highest quality of care while fostering a psychologically safe and collaborative workplace. Sign up to the Charter and receive a copy now.
In the high-pressure, fast-paced environment of perioperative practice, clinical excellence must be matched by behavioural integrity. It is not enough to have the skills and knowledge to care for patients undergoing surgery; we must also create a working culture that is safe, respectful, inclusive, and supportive.
The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP), the UK’s leading membership organisation dedicated to hospital theatre practitioners and improving perioperative care, has recognised this through its new Behaviours Charter.
“Civility saves lives,” says Oliver Tierney, President of AfPP, adding: “When people feel respected, listened to, and valued, they perform better. Patients are safer, teams are stronger, and morale improves. This Charter is not just a list of dos and don’ts; it’s a commitment to creating a culture we can all be proud of.”
AfPP President Oliver Tierney
AfPP CEO Alex Duke
A Charter rooted in shared values
The AfPP Behaviours Charter outlines a series of personal and workplace behaviours that promote a culture of trust, safety, respect, and excellence. These principles are grouped around five key commitments:
- Commitment to Safety
- Respectful Communication
- Professionalism and Civility
- Team Collaboration and Support
- Continuous Improvement and Learning
Together, these commitments aim to ensure that all perioperative practitioners feel empowered, supported, and motivated to deliver outstanding care, while also safeguarding their own wellbeing and professional growth.
“When we embed safety into every behavioural standard, we reinforce that every single team member has the power, and the responsibility, to make a difference, says Alex Duke, Chief Executive Officer of AfPP, adding: “The safest teams are those that act with intention, vigilance, and mutual respect.”
“This isn’t about ticking boxes,” continues Alex. “It’s about transforming how we show up for each other, every day. When people feel safe, respected, and included, the quality of care improves. That’s the future we’re building.”
A Charter endorsed and empowered
The Behaviours Charter is formally endorsed by the Centre for Perioperative Care and Civility Saves Lives, reflecting its importance not just at the organisational level, but within the wider surgical and patient care community. This endorsement highlights that behavioural standards are as critical to perioperative outcomes as technical or procedural ones.
It aligns with broader NHS efforts to improve staff wellbeing, retention, patient safety, and service delivery, particularly in a post-pandemic landscape where pressures on teams are higher than ever.
