Evolution Healthcare’s Wakefield Hospital has introduced a new workforce initiative that’s not only strengthening the delivery of specialised patient care but also importantly supporting theatre teams and expanding development opportunities for staff.
Launched this year, the OTA Upskilling Initiative trains Operating Theatre Assistants (OTAs) to take on additional non-nursing responsibilities in theatre, including helping position patients, preparing theatres and supporting equipment needs – allowing Registered Nurses (RNs) to spend more time on critical clinical duties.
Wakefield’s Peri-operative Manager Rae Billing, who co-developed the programme, says the initiative is about making the best use of the skills across the whole theatre team – and is also motivating some into new healthcare career opportunities.
“Investing in our OTA’s upskilling has helped ease workload and physical demands on RNs and strengthen teamwork across our theatres. For patients, that means having a well-supported theatre team with the right people focused on the right aspects of their care.
“One of the most satisfying outcomes of the programme so far has been our OTA, Ryan McQuinlan, who is now preparing to qualify for medical school after being inspired by his expanded role working alongside surgeons and theatre teams.”
Ryan says he was always keen to see where his career in healthcare could take him, and the OTA programme has advanced those opportunities.
“I have been able to start doing very hands-on, non-clinical support activities before, during and after surgical procedures in theatre, plus they are activities that involve greater patient interaction than what I was previously doing as an OTA which is something I really enjoy.”
Ryan’s proud Tongan and Māori heritage is also a big motivation in advancing his medical career.
“My Māori father is a doctor and my Tongan mother is a nurse, so I have plenty of support and encouragement for where I’m heading. I know it would also make my grandmother very proud. She was one of the first nurses from Tonga to migrate to NZ in the 1950’s and work here as a nurse, so continuing to represent my whakapapa in medicine is a big part of why I want to go as far as I can.”
Billing says Ryan’s example shows the wider impact investing in our people can have – strengthening our teams today while creating opportunities for people to grow and build their careers in healthcare.
OTAs taking part in the programme receive supervised, hands-on training in theatre alongside formal education through Elevify, an approved online course provider, giving them the skills and confidence to safely take on greater responsibilities.
“The initiative was initially developed in response to workforce pressures in orthopaedic spine and neurosurgery, where complex procedures require highly skilled theatre teams and experienced RNs. It is already having a positive impact within Wakefield’s orthopaedic spine and neurosurgical theatres, and feedback from the teams involved has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Billing.
Building on its early success, Wakefield Hospital is now exploring opportunities to expand the model into other surgical specialties, including urology.
Wakefield Hospital General Manager Carole Kaffes says the OTA Upskilling Initiative reflects Wakefield Hospital’s commitment to developing its people and strengthening theatre teams for the future. By making the best use of skills across the team, Wakefield is building a more resilient workforce and continuing to deliver safe, high-quality care for patients.