Looking towards a model of advanced practice in the UK

Abstract

The agenda for ambulance service provision in the UK has developed rapidly over previous years, with a focus on role redesign and development to improve access to health care and service provision for patients. This blurring of traditional boundaries has empowered healthcare practitioners to adapt and take on responsibilities that challenge pre-existing roles. The emergent role of the advanced practitioner has been recently established in the nursing field however, within ambulance services it is very much in its infancy. This article will discuss and analyse the role of the advanced practitioner, looking at theories and evidence to underpin advancing roles. While the focus of this piece is advanced practice in critical care, many of the concepts are strongly applicable to any advanced role with prehospital care.