The consultant practitioner: an evolving role to meet changing NHS needs.

Abstract

Since the introduction of the consultant practitioner role, with its huge variability in purpose and context, it has had to evolve in response to the changing needs of the NHS to achieve sustainability and transformation of services. AIM: This article reflects on the relevance of the consultant practitioner role and the impact of an action learning set in hastening its evolution in one NHS foundation trust. METHOD: From a process of collective critical reflection on their practice, six consultant practitioners analysed the impact they have had on influencing services and empowerment of their patients. Additionally, they have analysed the impact of an externally facilitated action learning set as a catalyst for change. RESULTS: All six consultant practitioners recognised that working together through the learning set enabled them to be more influential and effective. It encouraged them to share their experiences of continuous service improvement and crystalised their views on the impact they have had in delivering the organisation's vision. CONCLUSION: From their critical reflection, the six consultant practitioners acknowledged the influence of the action learning set on accelerating their confidence and competence to lead, and evaluating new models of care delivery at scale and pace. They recognised how far they have travelled in achieving the four dimensions of the role and ultimately their impact on their local sustainability and transformation plan (STP) and their trust's vision.