About NAASP
NAASP believes that there are currently over 400 Surgical Care Practitioners in practice with a significant increase in Advanced Scrub Practitioners throughout the UK.
Our roles are diverse but have a common theme, they have been created to address the need for skilled assistance during operative procedures, to assist in the reduction of morbidity from surgical intervention and comply with junior medical staff training requirements at a local level. The Surgical Care Practitioner role has a positive impact in enhancing the quality and continuity of care of the surgical patient.
Our mission statement is:
The National Association of Assistants in Surgical Practice will promote high quality surgical care by meeting the needs of the patient through continuity and the development of skilled, competent healthcare professionals.
Our association is aimed at all professionals who assist in the surgical care of patients and those involved with the performance of perform surgical intervention, or assist in surgery either as part of the surgical or theatre team.
The Association invites full membership to professionals who assist in the care of surgical patients whose posts are associated with peri-operative care, namely Surgical Care Practitioners, Emergency Care Practitioners, and Peri-operative Specialist Practitioners. As sociate membership to colleagues either involved with or interested in our profession. A new category of membership was introduced in February 2005 to support all Advanced Scrub Practitioners and has facilitated a membership aimed at ASP's to ensure the association supports their development nationally.
The NAASP definition for a Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP):
A Surgical Care Practitioner is a practitioner working both in and out of the operating room who undertakes specified surgical intervention either under direct, indirect or proximal supervision.
NAASP 2004
The Perioperative Care Collaborative deinfition for the Advanced Scrub Practitioner (ASP)
The ADVANCED SCRUB PRACTITIONER works within a clinical governance framework primarily during the intra-operative phase of the patients' care. Working as part of the operating room team, this practitioner provides skilled informed assistance to the operating surgeon.
The term ADVANCED SCRUB PRACTITIONER can be defined as the role undertaken by a health care
practitioner providing competent and skilled assistance under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon while not performing any form of surgical intervention.
PCC 2003
NAASP has been designed by Advanced Practitioners to:
- Address the needs of Advanced Scrub Practitioners, Surgical Care Practitioners Emergency Care Practitioners, and Peri-operative Specialist Practitioners nationally and in all specialties
- Give a voice for Advanced Practitioner in all relevant forums
- Develop and approve training programmes designed for Advanced Practitioner Practitioners
- Give advice to Advanced Practitioner involved in surgery and other interested parties
Further information about the Association can be found on this website including developments within education and details of conferences, study days, and meetings.
If you would like any further information please contact us .
I look forward to hearing from you
Best wishes,
Tracey Shaul
National Chairman