Celebrating Advanced Practice Week

• How long have you been an Advanced Clinical Practitioner?

I qualified as an ACP in 2023 after completing a Masters Degree in Advanced Clinical Practice.  I am now registered with the Centre for Advancing Practice and have to maintain an ongoing portfolio in Advanced Clinical Practice.

• Briefly describe your role at SWAST.

I work as an ACP in Urgent Care for SWAST at Tiverton Urgent Treatment Centre.  This is a very busy centre where we deliver unscheduled care to urgent and emergency patient presentations.  My role encompasses the 4 pillars of advanced practice including clinical, leadership, education & research.  I work as part of a multidisciplinary team, ensuring a high standard of clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment.

• How does your role help patients differently?

My role as an ACP allows me to be able to practice with a high degree of autonomy.   I have the capability to demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning, synthesise information from multiple sources and use diagnostic skills when caring for patients with undifferentiated health problems.  As an independent prescriber and a portfolio of advanced clinical skills, I am able to treat a variety of complex patients and presentations.

• What is the best thing about being and ACP?

Practicing as an ACP it is great to be part of a multi-professional framework and work closely with other Advanced Practitioners from different backgrounds and medical specialities.  This clinical collaboration and shared knowledge is transformational within the NHS and I can see the benefit to patients.

• How long have you been an Advanced Clinical Practitioner? 

I have been an ACP 5 years. 

• Briefly describe your role at SWASFT

Working as a Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) in control, I provide clinical guidance to patients and staff as well as coordinating appropriate care pathways to optimise resource use and patient outcomes.

• How does your role help patients differently?

By using an expanded knowledge and skills set in clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, ACPs are able to manage complex cases with a higher level of autonomy ,which can reduce hospital visits and streamline patient care directly at the point of contact or within the community.

• What is the best thing about being an ACP?

The best thing about being an ACP is the flexibility to work across various healthcare settings as a portfolio career, allowing continuous skill development and the ability to make a significant impact on patient care in diverse clinical environments.

I have been an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Critical Care) (ACP-CC) for 4.5 years, working within Enhanced and Critical Care. I work either solo, with a Specialist Paramedic-Critical Care or a Critical Care Doctor. I am able to undertake autonomous advanced surgical skills and interventions to treat patients including thoracotomy, resuscitative hysterotomy and amputation and have access to wide range of drugs that I can prescribe.

I am the clinical lead at Great Western Air Ambulance Charity alongside the Medical Director. Part of my ACP-CC role comes under the pillar of education, not just my own but teaching others and supporting them to develop in their own practice, this is a part I really enjoy.

• How long have you been an Advanced Clinical Practitioner?  

I have been a trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) since September, progressing on from a 2 year Specialist Paramedic programme with SWASFT.

• Briefly describe your role at SWASFT

Treating patients in the community with an enhanced skill set to promote community care. Providing clinical advice to paramedics and patients remotely as well as mentoring new trainee Specialist Practitioners.

• How does your role help patients differently?

My role helps bring the right care to patients that have fallen through the cracks in other non emergency services.

• What is the best thing about being an ACP? 

Being able to apply advanced knowledge and clinical skills to bring the most pragmatic and holistic care to patients.

• How long have you been an Advanced Clinical Practitioner?  

I have been an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) for a little over a year now. 

• Briefly describe your role at SWASFT 

My role within SWASFT is to manage complex medical cases, provide advice and guidance to Paramedic colleagues, act as a clinical supervisor to trainees, provide remote clinical assessment and triage, and facilitate a senior clinical on-call function.

• How does your role help patients differently? 

My diverse clinical experience, including primary care, urgent care, and out-of-hours, allows me to deliver comprehensive patient care. With a Masters degree in Advanced Practice and NHS England ACP accreditation, I am equipped to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of complex conditions. My Independent Prescribing qualification also empowers me to provide timely and effective medication to patients in need.

• What is the best thing about being an ACP? 

The best thing about being an ACP is combining my clinical knowledge with critical decision-making to provide optimal care for my patients. I also find it fulfilling to provide advice and guidance to Paramedic colleagues, contributing to their professional development and enhancing patient care.

• How long have you been an Advanced Clinical Practitioner?  

5 years

•  Briefly describe your role at SWASFT

As Head of Advanced Practice for the trust I am responsible for implementing the vision and direction of our Advanced Practice workforce. This involves designing educational pathways, creating solid supervision, and equipping our clinicians with the knowledge to provide exceptional patient care. Clinically I have an Urgent and Emergency Care skillset where I predominantly manage patients in their own homes, without onward conveyance.

•  How does your role help patients differently?

Advanced Clinical Practitioners ( ACPs) are developed to complete full episodes of care, from initial history to diagnosis and treatment. ACPs across the trust practise at the top of their licence to support both patients and clinicians. ACPs outside of Critical Care have a key emphasis on accessing alternative care pathways and managing patients closet to home, attempting to reduce pressures on system partners.

•  What is the best thing about being an ACP?

Being afforded the opportunity to practise autonomously in the best interests of our patients.