Operating Department Practitioners
UNISON is the UK’s largest health union, and the proud home to all Allied Health Professionals, including Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs).
With more workplace representatives than any other union, we are here to help and support you with whatever challenges you face at work.
College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP)
The College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP) is the recognised Professional Body for Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs).
Originally founded in 1945, the College was a standalone organisation until 2006 when, due to financial challenges, UNISON purchased CODP which then became part of UNISON sitting initially with UNISON’s learner member organisation Care Connect Learning.
In November 2022, the College commenced a consultation with the profession regarding the future operation and function of the College with the outcome being a desire to become an independent standalone organisation once more.
Since 2022, UNISON has supported the College with building capacity within their Professional Council and their steps to become a standalone organisation.
We are pleased to announce that CODP is now an independent standalone professional body once again.
The new organisation aims to:
- Be the recognised professional body managed by ODPs, for ODPs.
- Represent the profession at a national and international level.
- Hold the educational curriculum for the profession and be the recognised authority for the professional education
- Drive research to support the development of the profession and contribute to specific the body of knowledge
- Drive CODP members’ professional development through a career framework and a robust Continuous Professional Development (CPD) offer
- Promote best clinical practice for patients and services
- Offer professional/clinical advice to members, including on an individual basis
ODPs are one of the NHS 14 Allied Health Professions (AHPs).
CODP is THE professional body for ODPs.
UNISON remains THE trade union for all AHPs, including ODPs.
You can find out more about joining UNISON below:
CODP and UNISON plan to work together in the future recommending UNISON membership for trade union support and CODP membership for education, standards and clinical development.
Find out more at the CODP website www.codp.org.uk
Who are ODPs?
ODPs are highly skilled and essential members of the surgical team who care for and support patients during their operative procedures. The role of the ODP essentially covers three interconnected phases of perioperative care, the anaesthetic phase, the surgical phase and the post-anaesthetic care phase.
How do you become an ODP?
Check out the ODP Careers site, which aims to inspire others to become Operating Department Practitioners.
To become an ODP you need to undertake a degree or diploma programme and a list of those Universities that deliver a ODP programme can be found at the NHS Health Careers course finder
After successfully completing a pre-registration ODP programme, it is necessary to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council in order to use the protected title of ‘Operating Department Practitioner’.