AAPE UK are delighted to note approval of the submission of an expression of interest to the Department of Education to develop an apprenticeship standard for Advanced Clinical Practitioner.

An employer leg Trailblazer group has its first meeting this week.  This will take forward the drafting of the Apprenticeship Standard and accompanying end-point assessment plan.  Once ready for wider consultation, an on-line survey will be available at

http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/trail-consultations

Sam Foster, Chief Nurse at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and Chair of the Trailblazer said

This is an exciting opportunity for us to build on the existing high quality national ACP work. In the coming months we will bring together the wealth of experience across professions to progress the development of an apprenticeship standard. It will enable the health sector to plan and progress these roles in a variety of settings, to deliver high quality care to patients across a range of pathways. The apprenticeship will also provide clinicians with an exciting career structure and retain them in clinical practice.

I have been asked, on behalf of London South Bank University, to be part of the Trailblazer group and look forward to working to with colleagues to make the most of this exciting opportunity for an additional model for ACP development and funding.

I will provide updates as appropriate.

Katrina Maclaine

Chair of AAPE UK

maclaik@lsbu.ac.uk