In the Spotlight - Nicola Morley

09 October 2025

This month we are proud to spotlight Anaesthetic Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), Nicola Morley, who has worked in Theatres, in the University Hospital of Wales, since qualifying in 2017.

Nicola began her career at UHW with the intention of getting a year’s experience and moving on. “But I’ve loved every minute so never left,” she says. “I genuinely love working here.” 

“The work is challenging. The patients are very complex patients and the environment is stressful. However, the team themselves are phenomenal. They work hard, they really care for the patients, and they look after each other.” 

Her role as an Anaesthetic ODP is vitally important for both the experience and welfare of patients undergoing surgery, yet she describes it as the "unknown profession in the NHS".    

Whether in Theatres or responding to trauma calls in the Emergency Unit, the Anaesthetic ODP closely assists the Anaesthetist.  ‘It is a Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson kind of situation,” Nicola jokes. While the Anaesthetist focuses on specific tasks, the ODP keeps an eye on the patient’s overall condition and the environment.  

For Nicola, the most rewarding part of the role is the interaction with patients. “We’re the first person they see when they arrive, the last before they go to sleep, and the first when they wake up. We’re there from beginning to end. We only leave once they’re safely in recovery.” 

Having been a patient herself, Nicola has empathy for how daunting an operation can be. “It's terrifying coming to theatre. As the ODP, you're the person that can either make or break that experience, often without even realising it.” 

While studying for a different degree in Plymouth, Nicola became seriously ill and underwent several operations. “I'd never heard of an ODP before. But one came to check me in while I was waiting for surgery, exactly like I do now. He was lovely and put me so much more at ease.” 

It was this experience that inspired her to become an ODP herself. “It was almost like a way to give back and say thank you. In terms of treatment, what I do is quite limited, but in terms of how people feel about their experience, I think we can have a massive impact. That's quite a privilege.” 

A typical day begins with checking the anaesthetic machines, preparing the room and ensuring the controlled drugs are ready for the Anaesthetist. The team meets to review the day’s list noting any allergies or special considerations a patient may have.  

Nicola then talks through the plan with the Anaesthetist, greets the patient, answers their questions, and takes them to the Anaesthetic room. 

"We monitor that the patient is fully asleep, not in any pain, and physiologically safe. Once the operation's finished, we wake the patient up, make sure that they're fully awake and take them to Recovery. Then we do the process again for the next patient. 

As well as enjoying patient interaction, Nicola also finds satisfaction in teaching.  In June she was recognised in the Practice Education Awards voted for by Cardiff University students.  

“I was always taught to treat anyone as if they were my own family. And I try and teach the students to be of the same mind. If I can help them to be the best practitioners they can be - in case someone in my family one day needs them to look after them - then that is what I want to do.”