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The David Pidduck Novice Writer’s Award Collection

The David Pidduck Novice Writer’s Award was introduced to recognise the work of the late David Pidduck and to encourage new authors to write for the Journal. David was a nurse at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, he joined the Editorial Board of NATN (now AfPP) in 2001, three years later he became the Deputy Chair of the panel. David was keen to raise the profile of novice writers, actively inspiring new authors to get their articles and reports published. He was highly regarded by the Association who were saddened by his sudden death in 2004 at the age of 35. The Award continues David’s legacy of encouragement for aspiring new authors.

Each year, the Editorial Board are asked to select their first, second and third choice from a list of eligible papers written by a novice writer that have been published in the Journal, or Online First, within the last twelve months. Independently picked to fit a criteria which looks for a paper that is clear, well-structured and relevant, and reflects the Journal’s scope within perioperative practice. The chosen papers score three points for first choice, two for second and one for third. In the event of a tie breaker, the editor makes the decisive vote. The winner is recognised for their achievement through various media channels and is presented with a certificate, a free place at the annual AfPP Conference, and a book voucher (courtesy of Sage).

This year’s winning paper, ‘An examination of the literature surrounding leadership and change management to implement a Golden Theatre Initiative: Reducing inefficiencies within a neurosurgical operating department’, was written by Senior Lecturer in Clinical Skills and Simulation, Helen Fowler. To read the paper, visit: https://doi.org/10.1177/17504589241276643

For more information about the award and entry criteria, go to: https://www.afpp.org.uk/professional-development/awards-and-bursaries/novice-writer-award/

Full list of winning authors and titles

2025, Helen Fowler, An examination of the literature surrounding leadership and change management to implement a Golden Theatre Initiative: Reducing inefficiencies within a neurosurgical operating department

Fowler H 2024 An examination of the literature surrounding leadership and change management to implement a Golden Theatre Initiative: Reducing inefficiencies within a neurosurgical operating department Journal of Perioperative Practice 35 (6) 234-243 https://doi.org/10.1177/17504589241276643

2024, Shailen Shoobhug, Design and implementation of a training programme on ultrasound-guided lower limb peripheral nerve blockade: An Advanced Clinical Practitioner’s personal journey

Shoobhug S 2024 Design and implementation of a training programme on ultrasound-guided lower limb peripheral nerve blockade: An Advanced Clinical Practitioner’s personal journey Journal of Perioperative Practice 34 (4) 112-121 doi:10.1177/17504589231159201

2023, Yvonne Richards, Port-site hernias in patients undergoing laparoscopic and/or robotic surgery: Can they be prevented?

Richards Y 2023 Port-site hernias in patients undergoing laparoscopic and/or robotic surgery: Can they be prevented? Journal of Perioperative Practice 33 (9) 269-275 doi:10.1177/17504589221094135

2022, Katherine Stagg, Intravenous versus oral paracetamol for post operative analgesia: A systematic review

Stagg K 2021Intravenous versus oral paracetamol for post operative analgesia: A systematic review Journal of Perioperative Practice 31 (10) 373-378 doi:10.1177/1750458920950652

2021, Dr Christopher Wood, Fluid management: An update for perioperative practitioners

Wood C 2021 Fluid management: An update for perioperative practitioners Journal of Perioperative Practice 31(3) 71-79 doi:10.1177/1750458920964174

2019, Kirsty Stanley, Diathermy smoke shown to be hazardous, so why are we not protecting ourselves?

Stanley K 2018 Diathermy smoke shown to be hazardous, so why are we not protecting ourselves? Journal of Perioperative Practice 28 (6) 145-151 doi:10.1177/1750458918767582

2018, Gogs Bryn, Parent pagers: Improving patient experience and efficiency in paediatric PACU

Byrn G 2017 Parent Pagers: Improving Patient Experience and Efficiency in Paediatric PACU Journal of Perioperative Practice 27 (5) 110-116 doi:10.1177/175045891702700505

2017, Anitha Rego, Pressure ulcers or moisture lesions: The theatre perspective

Rego A 2016 Pressure ulcers or moisture lesions: The theatre perspective Journal of Perioperative Practice 26 (4) 84-89 doi:10.1177/175045891602600405

2016, Debora Almeida, Awake and unable to move: What can perioperative practitioners do to avoid accidental awareness under general anaesthesia?

Almeida D 2015 Awake and unable to move: What can perioperative practitioners do to avoid accidental awareness under general anaesthesia? Journal of Perioperative Practice 25 (12) 257-261 doi:10.1177/175045891502501202

2015, Emma Goodall, Transfusion associated circulatory overload: a critical incident

Goodall E 2014 Transfusion associated circulatory overload: a critical incident Journal of Perioperative Practice 24 (1-2) 15-18 doi:10.1177/1750458916024001-203

2014, Kerry MacGregor, A waking nightmare: how can we avoid accidental awareness during general anaesthesia?

Macgregor K 2013 A waking nightmare: how can we avoid accidental awareness during general anaesthesia? Journal of Perioperative Practice 23 (9) 185-190 doi:10.1177/175045891302300902

2013, Roxane Bell, Hide and seek, the search for a missing swab: a critical analysis

Bell R 2012 Hide and seek, the search for a missing swab: a critical analysis Journal of Perioperative Practice 22 (5) 151-156 doi:10.1177/175045891202200503

2012, Ria Bagshaw, Anaesthesia and the autistic child

Bagshaw R 2011 Anaesthesia and the autistic child Journal of Perioperative Practice 21 (9) 313-317 doi:10.1177/175045891102100904

2011, Joanna Holland, Care of patients with Parkinson's disease in the operating department

Holland J 2010 Care of patients with Parkinson’s disease in the operating department Journal of Perioperative Practice 20 (11) 406-410 doi:10.1177/175045891002001104

2010, Susan Tame, Perioperative nurses' perceptions and experiences of continuing professional education

Tame S 2009 Perioperative nurses' perceptions and experiences of continuing professional education Journal of Perioperative Practice 19 (8) 257-262 doi:10.1177/175045890901900805

2009, Ian Cutler, The safety of medical devices: the tools of your working day

Cutler I 2008 The safety of medical devices: the tools of your working day Journal of Perioperative Practice 18 (9) 396-403 doi:10.1177/175045890801800905

2008, Carol Bellamy, Inadvertent hypothermia in the operating theatre: an examination

Bellamy C 2007 Inadvertent hypothermia in the operating theatre: an examination Journal of Perioperative Practice 17 (1) 18-26 doi:10.1177/175045890701700102

2007, Val Brown, Preparing a patient information leaflet

Brown V 2006 Preparing a patient information leaflet Journal of Perioperative Practice 16 (11) 540-545 doi:10.1177/175045890601601102

2006, Sue Lamont, A swab story 

Lamont S 2005 A swab story British Journal of Perioperative Nursing (United Kingdom) 15 (11) 495-499 doi:10.1177/175045890501501104

2005, Sandra Pisani, Fibres found during cataract surgery

Pisani S 2004 Fibres Found during Cataract Surgery British Journal of Perioperative Nursing (United Kingdom) 14 (11) 508-514 doi:10.1177/175045890401401104

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