Hometown: Redruth
Course: BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 6
Next Steps: Registered Operating Department Practitioner at Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
Sarah’s impressive journey on the ODP apprenticeship was culminated by a nomination from her lecturer, John, to receive an award for her contribution to the Nursing and Clinical sector.
Sarah scooped the award for Nursing and Clinical Apprentice of the Year at the 2025 Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards, ending an inspiring three years at the University Centre Truro and Penwith on a high.
Sarah was part of the very first cohort of students to complete the BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practitioner degree apprenticeship at the University Centre Truro and Penwith, beginning in September 2021.
The apprenticeship allows students to experience a combination of academic and clinical practice.
Already employed by Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) as a Theatre Assistant, Sarah undertook the apprenticeship as she wanted to develop her career further from a supporting role in the Operating Department to professional role as a registered practitioner.
During her dissertation year, Sarah researched the topic of listening to music in relation to patient stress and anxiety during the operating process.
Sarah concluded that patient pain perception has a direct correlation to stress and anxiety so any reduction in stress could then benefit the patient’s requirement for pain relief. This meant that a reduction in the use of pain relief would ultimately improve patient outcomes and have cost saving implications. Sarah’s research has now improved and influenced clinical practice at the Trust.
Sarah’s dissertation, as well as her continuous improvement in her academic writing and presentation skills throughout the course where she received consistently high grades, contributed to her receiving a First Class degree classification overall.
Sarah’s lecturer, John, commented: “her commitment towards her studies has been excellent throughout the 3-year degree programme. The skills, knowledge and behaviour that Sarah has learnt as an apprentice on the ODP programme has enabled her to not only develop personally but also to act as a role model to other Apprentices within the Trust.
Sarah demonstrates a calm and professional manner towards patients, staff and students and I have no doubt that she will continue to develop throughout her professional career and as a result will be an asset to RCHT where she has gained employment as a Registered ODP.”
