An in-house course for first assistants (advanced scrub practitioners) in theatres.

Abstract

It has become commonplace to see theatre practitioners undertaking the role of the first assistant to the surgeon in the absence of medical staff in the operating room (Martin 2004). At Kettering General Hospital we have devised, implemented and are in the process of evaluating a first assistant training package to facilitate a solution to the increasing problems arising from the challenges of the European Working Time Directive.