can effectively provide and maintain safe anaesthesia during surgery. This role requires the application of evidence-based practice and critical thinking alongside a wide range of professional and clinical abilities. Prior to surgery, anaesthetic operating department practitioners practitioner will be tasked with completing a thorough and detailed diagnostic check of the anaesthetic machine, ensuring it has met its safety requirements and is fully operational. This includes the correct function and availability of essential medical gases and associated ventilatory equipment and breathing apparatus. The ODP is also responsible for ensuring that critical controlled and emergency medications are accessible prior to the induction of anaesthesia. They are also routinely charged as being custodians of the controlled drugs/scheduled medications held within their dedicated theatre, being assigned security keys which remain on their person throughout the day. Some ODPs are responsible for conducting pre-operative assessments of the patient prior to their admission to the department. These assessments may vary and are institutionally dependant, but may include assessment of the mouth opening, protruding or unsecure dentition, range of movement in the cervical spine, current pregnancy status, fasting status, past medical history, known medication/food allergy status, history of communicable diseases or blood borne viruses, history of post-operative nausea and vomiting or individual/familial adverse reaction to anaesthetic agents. During an emergency clinical scenario where immediate treatment and response is required, the anaesthetist [doctor] may verbally request that the anaesthetic practitioner administer prescribed medications in response to the situation in hand. Perioperative Practitioner ODPs are trained to work directly alongside the surgical team performing surgery. This role is often referred to as the ‘scrub’ role. When performing this role they will prepare sterile instruments, swabs, consumables and any other equipment required throughout the patients operation. They work alongside the surgeon(s) within the sterile field. The 'scrubbed' ODP is accountable for the swabs, instruments, and needles and consumables used throughout an operation, to ensure nothing is retained within the operative site. They are trained to do several checks before closure of the skin, with the attendant circulating team member verifying accuracy. ODPs may also be the 'first assistant' to the surgeon assisting throughout the operation. ODPs can also when required, assist in a circulating role during the surgical stage of a patient's care. In this role, they pass extra materials to the surgical practitioner, help position the patient on the operating table, and plan ahead to supply what the surgical