Advanced practice toolkit

In line with the Transforming nursing, midwifery, allied health professions (NMAHP) roles work with the Chief Nursing Officer Directorate (CNOD), NHS Education for Scotland (NES) will continue to support AHPs working at advanced and consultant levels.

Definition of advanced AHP practice:

Advanced level AHP practice is delivered by experienced, registered practitioners who have progressed their knowledge, skills and behaviours beyond those required for Senior AHP practice. It is underpinned by a Master’s level award, or equivalent evidence of learning, that encompasses the four pillars of clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research, and leads to the demonstration of core and area-specific capabilities relevant to scope of practice and role. 

It is characterised by a high degree of autonomy in practice and the ability to make decisions independently. It is manifested in the ability to analyse complex problems in a range of contexts and settings; the synthesis and interpretation of information (including that which is incomplete or ambiguous, and relating to the evidence base); the management of risk; and the formulation and progression of new approaches to service delivery to enhance people’s experiences and outcomes of care. (Transforming Roles Paper 7).

Many AHPs in Scotland currently use the definition of advanced practice as outlined in the NHS England Multiprofessional Framework for Advanced Practice in England and its associated capabilities to underpin the development of advanced practice combined with profession specific guidance from professional bodies.

“Advanced clinical practice is delivered by experienced, registered health and care practitioners. It is a level of practice characterised by a high degree of autonomy and complex decision making. This is underpinned by a master’s level award or equivalent that encompasses the four pillars of clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research, with demonstration of core capabilities and area specific clinical competence. Advanced clinical practice encompasses the ability to manage clinical care in partnership with individuals, families and carers. It includes the analysis and synthesis of complex problems across a range of settings, enabling innovative solutions to enhance people’s experience and improve outcomes” (HEE 2017).

Recently the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer published the recommendations from the Allied Health Professions Education and Workforce Policy Review Allied Health Professions - education and workforce policy review: recommendations - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The recommendations from the 5 working groups consider:

• Workforce and Recruitment
• Education Solutions
• Practice Based Learning
• Advancing Practice
• Research, Innovation and Relationships

Within advancing practice there are 14 recommendations that cover all levels of practice from levels 2 to 8. The implementation plan to progress these recommendations is being developed and will support the development of education and career pathways. As we continue in the recovery phase post pandemic the Transforming Health and Care Roles will reconvene and will also consider how advanced practice roles are developed and supported in Scotland. The implementation of the AHP Workforce and Education Review of advancing practice recommendations and Transforming Roles will enable AHPs to map against a new agreed definition of advanced practice as well as role and profession specific knowledge skills and behaviours across the 4 pillars of practice.

Useful Links

It is envisaged that the recommendations of the review and the subsequent implementation plan will provide educational and career pathways for AHPs working at all levels of practice including those working at Advanced and Consultant levels.   

Many of the links included below show education and career pathways produced by NHS England Workforce Education and Training Directorate formally known as Health Education England and while there may be differences to models of practice in Scotland, they are provided as examples of how advanced practice roles have been developed across the AHP professions.