An exploration of the role of Advanced Clinical Practitioners in the East of England

Medical staff shortages in the UK have provided impetus for the introduction of advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs). This case study explored the views of 22 ACPs, managers and doctors in primary and acute settings in a region of England, to understand how the role is used, and barriers and facilitators to its success. ACP roles improved the quality of service provision, provided clinical career development and enhanced job satisfaction for staff and required autonomous clinical decision-making, with a high degree of self-awareness and individual accountability. Barriers included disparate pay-scales and funding, difficulty accessing continuing education and research, and lack of agreed role definition and title, due to a lack of standardised regulation and governance, and organisational barriers, including limited access to referral systems. Facilitators were supportive colleagues and opportunities for peer networking. Regulation of ACP roles is urgently needed, along with evaluation of the cost-effectiveness and patient experience of such roles.