The Paediatric Pre-Assessment Practitioner Course was developed by the South West and Thames Valley & Wessex Surgery in Children networks following the publication of the Association of Paediatric Anesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland’s national guidance for pre-assessment services for children undergoing surgery or procedures in 2022.
The course is aimed at nurses who are involved in pre-assessing children and young people to ensure they are suitably trained to deliver the best level of care which aligns to the standards within the national guidance. It is delivered through 3 taught virtual study days, followed by the completion of a competency-based skills booklet over a 6 month period.
The course is now delivered nationally across England by all 10 Surgery in Children networks. Over 120 nurses have completed the SW and TV&W course since the pilot in 2022, and over 220 have completed the course across the rest of England. Enquiries for colleagues who would like to attend the course that work outside of the SW and TV&W regions should be made by contacting your regional Surgery in Children Operational Delivery Network – contact details are available here.
