The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) recognises the vital contribution that its registrants working at advanced levels of practice make to patient care across the UK.
Our registrants and their expertise are a crucial part of the healthcare system in the UK, and they play a key role in the delivery of healthcare services to patients, often as part of multi-disciplinary teams.
Recent media coverage has highlighted the significant pressures facing health services and the ways organisations are responding to workforce shortages. In this context, it is important to be clear that HCPC‑registered professionals working at advanced levels of practice are not substitutes for other professional roles. They are regulated professionals who bring different and highly valuable expertise to services, working as part of multidisciplinary teams to support safe, effective patient care.
HCPC registrants working at advanced levels of practice have many years of professional experience, and often additional qualifications, and specialist training specific to their role. They practise within clearly defined scopes, are accountable for their decisions, and are required to meet HCPC standards at all times. Their roles should be designed to complement, not stand in for, the work of other professions, and to enhance the overall capability of healthcare teams.
Andy Smith, Deputy Chief Executive at the HCPC, said:
‘“HCPC registrants working at advanced levels of practice are highly skilled, regulated professionals who make an essential contribution to patient care every day. They are held to high professional standards and expectations to work lawfully, safely, and effectively within their scope of practice. Their advanced expertise, specialist knowledge and leadership capability are vital to patient safety and to the effective functioning of multidisciplinary teams.
‘“These practitioners should not be seen as substitutes for other roles, including doctors. They bring specific, specialist skills, shaped by their professional backgrounds, training and experience. Safe and effective care depends on recognising and valuing these differences, and on ensuring that services are built around the strengths of diverse professional roles working together.”’
The HCPC recognises that ensuring safe and effective care is a shared responsibility between registrants, regulators, employers, and professional bodies. The HCPC has recently published wide-ranging support for registrants and employers relating to those working at advanced levels of practice. These resources make clear the need for role clarity, appropriate supervision, and effective multi-disciplinary team working, so that registrants can be supported to practise safely and effectively.
The HCPC will continue to work with partners across the system to promote clear understanding of our standards, the need for strong team working, and to build confidence among patients and the public in the professionals delivering their care.
