The development of advanced clinical practitioners in NHS organisations providing acute, community and emergency services in London: an evaluative interview study

Internationally health care systems are developing advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs), such as nurse practitioners, to address growing health care needs, shortages of doctors and financial constraints. At present in the United Kingdom there is no state regulation for such roles in nursing, midwifery, allied health professionals or health scientists, either for the level of education or clinical competency. In England, Health Education England (HEE) which is responsible for workforce planning and training is supporting the development of ACP roles in all types of professional groups (nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and health scientists). The London HEE team commissioned an evaluative study concerned with factors influencing the development of ACPs. The evaluation questions addressed were: 1. What has influenced the development of ACP roles? 2. To what extent are NHS acute, community and emergency services employing and deploying ACPs? 3. What are the factors influencing the success or otherwise in introducing and sustaining ACPs in the workforce? 4. Is there documentary or published evidence of the value, or otherwise, of ACP roles and of patient perceptions of ACP roles. This monograph reports on a qualitative exploration in 2019 of the views of senior NHS managers and clinicians in a range of health care organisations in London.