Exploring the deployment of the Advanced Clinical Practitioner Role
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the deployment of the Advanced Clinical Practitioner Role across the Suffolk & North East Essex Integrated Care System focusing on Clinical Service Delivery within an integrated care model.
IRAS ID
320360
Contact name
Noreen Cushen-Brewster
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Suffolk
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study aims to explore how the Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) role has been deployed across Suffolk and North East Essex (SNEE) Integrated Care Board (ICB). The study has been funded by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), to improve understanding of how ACPs impact patient care and experience, and how implementation of the role may be enhanced. Findings are intended to support the Trust to focus improvements on those areas of health care delivery which can have greatest impact.
The ACP role allows practitioners to perform tasks usually carried out by doctors. In 2017 Health Education England published a multi-professional framework for ACPs. However, there remains a lack of clarity about the scope of the role amongst professionals and the public, and inconsistencies in qualifications and governance for the role.
This ethics application is for an action research study involving focus groups with patients and professionals to explore the impact of the ACP role on the patient experience and service delivery. The action research approach we will apply consists of five phases of enquiry and reflection, and, in line with an action research approach, findings from each phase will inform the next:
Phase 1: Focus groups with patients – patients who receive healthcare from ACPs will be invited to participate in a focus group to explore their experiences and perceptions of their care.
Phase 2: Focus groups with professionals – healthcare professionals will be invited to participate in a focus group to reflect on the findings from phase one and to develop an action plan.
Phase 3: Focus groups with professionals and patients – this will seek to find agreement on an appropriate action plan, including a timeline for the agreed actions.
Phase 4: Implementation of the action plan.
Phase 5: Evaluation of the impact of the changes in practice.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0196
Date of REC Opinion
2 Aug 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion