The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) has welcomed James Dearing, an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) with the Royal Navy, as the new Military Specialist Interest Group (SIG) Support. Welcome James!
With a career path rooted in patient care and emergency response, James brings a wealth of experience and a passion for raising awareness about the vital role of ODPs, particularly in military settings.
James began his journey in healthcare as a Podiatry Assistant, which included him working as part of a multi-disciplinary diabetic limb salvage team at a major hospital. His commitment to patient care extended beyond clinical settings, as he also served as a Community First Responder, attending 999 calls for the South East Coast Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance. It was during his time providing first aid at the Brighton Marathon that he had a defining moment: “That experience made me realise how much I loved being part of a medical team, and it sparked my decision to become an ODP.”
He qualified as an ODP in 2017 and has worked in a variety of roles ranging from Anaesthetics at Frimley Park Hospital to working on Intensive Care as part of the Southampton-Oxford Paediatric Critical Care Retrieval Team at University Hospital Southampton. Prior to joining the Royal Navy, he spent 2 years working as a theatre practitioner with Spire Healthcare Group. In his current role, he deploys on ships as part of a medical support team, providing critical perioperative care, particularly during humanitarian missions. When stationed in the UK, James is based in Portsmouth and works as an ODP at Southampton Hospital, a major trauma centre; where he is currently part of the Vascular Scrub team maintaining his clinical skills.
Recognising the need to highlight the essential work of military ODPs, James joined AfPP as the Military SIG Support to assist the SIG Lead Leanne Scrivens, also a Royal Navy ODP, in educating a wider audience about the profession.
“There are very few military ODPs, and people often don’t realise the scope of what we do,” James said.
“I want to spread the word about the role and all the good things an ODP does—often unseen but always crucial.”
As James prepares for a four-month deployment at sea, James is eager to continue his mission of advocacy and education, ensuring that ODPs, both in civilian and military settings, receive the recognition they deserve. His dedication to patient care, both in operating theatres and on the frontlines of humanitarian efforts, exemplifies the invaluable contribution of ODPs to healthcare and beyond.
Picture shows James.
