Drivers for and barriers to the continued development of assistant practitioner roles

Abstract

The role of assistant practitioner (AP) was defined around 14 years ago. It is widely regarded as an innovative role, with the ability to work semi-autonomously and across conventional health boundaries, and between both the health and social care sectors. APs are non-registered, so are not subject to regulation like nurses. Their accountability, however, comes through working to locally agreed and defined protocols. They are able to undertake a wide range of technical tasks and work with a high degree of autonomy within a specified care plan. The role is often cited as an effective means of helping the sector meet the productivity challenges that it is confronted with. APs are credited with being able to take on a wide range of tasks that are traditionally, but not necessarily, undertaken by registered professionals. It is a role which many are happy to treat as a destination in its own right, and which others view as a stepping stone to move up to registered roles. Our own research at Skills for Health has seen that APs have become more successful in some areas than others. And while the role has had some successes, there is a case for significant and ongoing action to improve not only training and development for support workers, but also to clarify and develop high-quality support worker roles, of which the AP is an important aspiration and legitimate channel.