Health Education England, in partnership with NHS Improvement and NHS England, has recently launched a national framework for advanced clinical practice in health and care settings. The framework provides a national definition and standards for Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) as well as entry requirements. It also sets out guidance and principles that current and future ACPs should follow throughout their professional lives. The aim is to ensure a consistent approach to the development of this role across England.
ACPs are critical to providing safe, accessible and high quality patient-focused care. We, therefore, welcome the development of this framework and support the principles in it. It complements our own regulatory approach by clearly setting out the knowledge, skills and behaviours relevant to professionals working in advanced clinical practice. It also focuses on enabling professionals to deliver outstanding care in any setting and we are supportive of initiatives, which raise standards, and the quality of care as this ultimately delivers improved patient safety and public protection.
For more information about this framework and the toolkit, which supports its practical implementation, visit the Health Education England website.