Operating Department Practice graduate wins writing prize

BU Operating Department Practice (ODP) graduate, Debbie Almeida, has won the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) Novice Writers Award.

The aim of the award is to recognise and raise the profile of novice writers.

Debbie successfully wrote an article titled: ‘Awake and unable to move: what can perioperative practitioners do to avoid accidental awareness under general anaesthesia?’ which was published in the twelfth issue of the Journal of Perioperative Practice.

As the winner, Debbie will receive an all-expenses-paid place at the Association for Perioperative Practice ceremony on 13 August to receive her award, certificate and a copy of the AfPP Standard and Recommendations for Safe Perioperative Practice.

Debbie Almedia said: “This was a big achievement and a really big surprise. It was meant to be an assignment but John Tarrent (ODP tutor at BU) gave me feedback and I got a good grade, so I decided to submit it for publication. It was lovely that he sent me a message to congratulate me when I found out.

“It will absolutely encourage me to do more writing. I have started writing about emergency drugs in the anaesthetic room and will hoping to try and get it published.”

Lesley Elcock, Operating Department Practice Programme Lead, said: “I’m so proud of Debbie and what she has achieved since she graduated from Bournemouth University.

Her achievements show that our Operating Department Practice course here at BU prepares our students well for successful careers in practice and research.”