Cancer and its management in this young population presents a unique set of challenges for the patient, family and healthcare providers. In order to fulfil these challenges and care for the child and family holistically, specialist roles within oncology and haematology have been developed, of which the Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) is one.
It is well recognised within the literature that it is difficult to define the role of the Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Hewison, 2009, Currie and Grundy 2011, Halliday et al, 2018). Historically, ACP roles have developed without clear boundaries or recognised remit, with individual roles being developed to support local service need and development (Paniagua, 2010 and McNab 2020). As a result of this, roles within specific specialisms such as cancer care have developed in an unregulated and confusing way (Behi, 2006). According to the International Council of Nurses, essential agreed attributes of those working in advanced practice are; to have an expert knowledge base, be able to work autonomously and to make complex decisions whilst also having expanded clinical skills (ICN, 2020). It is important, therefore, for patient safety and effectiveness of nursing practice that nationally agreed benchmarks for Advanced Practice are agreed (Behi, 2006).
The British National Paediatric Oncology and Haematology ACP group was formed in Autumn 2018 and is a recognised speciality group within the CCLG. The group is made up of ACPs from the four nations of the United Kingdom. It was quickly established within the group that roles and responsibilities were diverse and there was no standard document by which to record and assess clinical competence, capability and ongoing professional development.
The Advanced Clinical Practitioner Paediatric Oncology & Haematology Capability Document has been produced following a review of the Framework of Competencies for Level 3 Training Special Study Module in Paediatric Oncology (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2010) and the General Practice Advanced Nurse Practitioner Competencies (Royal College of General Practitioners, 2015).
It is widely accepted that competency documents are necessary to demonstrate knowledge and safe practice within healthcare professions. The term competence is often used to describe practice that occurs in stable and familiar environments; Capabilities however have been attributed with roles and environments that are unpredictable and are more in line with the autonomy of advanced practice roles (O’Connell et al, 2014). This document is therefore a capability framework.
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Written by
Sally Spencer, Paediatric Leukaemia Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Helen Woodman, Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Late Effects Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
On behalf of the CCLG ACP Forum.
Version 1.1 March 2022 - endorsed by the Royal College of Nursing to March 2023