Over 100 healthcare professionals from across University Hospitals Tees (UHT) came together to celebrate the contribution of enhanced, advanced and consultant level practitioners at the organisation’s first joint Advanced Practice Conference.
Held in September, the conference marked a significant milestone for the organisation and demonstrated its commitment to advancing practice across nursing, midwifery, allied health professions and pharmacy.
It was a chance to highlight how practitioners are improving patient outcomes, leading service innovation across a wide range of specialties, and showcased the growing importance of advanced practice within the NHS.
The event featured contributions from NHS England, university partners and professional regulators, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Showcasing learning and advancements
Key to the conference was a series of presentations from practitioners across both hospital sites, showcasing examples of innovation and work to improve services and outcomes for patients. Specialties represented included podiatry, physiotherapy, endoscopy, gynaecological oncology, respiratory medicine and cardiothoracic surgery.
Joanne Clark, advanced practice lead, said: “The conference has provided an opportunity to celebrate the incredible contribution that our enhanced, advanced and consultant level practitioners make every day across University Hospitals Tees.
These professionals are leading innovation, improving patient outcomes, educating future workforces and helping to shape the future of healthcare delivery. Bringing together colleagues from nursing, allied health professions, pharmacy and beyond demonstrates the truly multiprofessional nature of advanced practice and the value of working collaboratively across professional boundaries.”
Impact presenters share their work
Alongside six practitioner led presentations, speakers submitted posters to an event competition, with first, second and third prizes given to:
- First place: Advanced endoscopy practitioner, Dr Clare Westwood, who work showcased how advanced practice extends beyond technical procedures
- Second place: Advanced clinical practitioner, Louise Pearson, whose work discussed the impact of an ACP-led Pneumothorax Clinic
- Third place: the thoracic advanced practitioners, who have worked to introduce a day-one discharge programme
Deputy chief nurse, Lindsay Garcia, who opened and closed the conference, said: “I’m pleased to have welcomed and showcased some of our exceptional colleagues at the conference today; so that we can celebrate and support one another to push boundaries and innovate practice at a local, national and increasingly at an international level.
“Standing here, I’d like to remind all advanced practitioners in the room they have the permission to act, to lead boldly, to innovate confidently and to help us to transform care for the benefit of our patients and our communities. Together we can help shape the future of healthcare.”
Conference impact presenters:
- Advanced endoscopy practitioner, Dr Clare Westwood, showcased how advanced practice extends beyond technical procedures, using research, education, leadership and evidence-based practice to improve patient pathways, support shared decision-making and enhance quality of care
- Advanced clinical practitioner, Louise Pearson presented the impact of an ACP-led Pneumothorax Clinic, which reduced hospital admissions by 91.4% and saved 245 inpatient bed days through the introduction of a safe ambulatory care pathway
- Advanced clinical practitioner, Claire O’Malley, highlighted how ACP leadership transformed the diabetic foot service through the development of a new prescribing pathway, enabling faster access to appropriate antibiotics and improving outcomes for patients with diabetic foot infections
- Advanced clinical practitioner and PhD researcher, Claire Powlesland, showcased how research and patient co-design led to the development of the North East’s first dedicated late effects service, improving support, information and personalised care for patients living with the long-term effects of cancer treatment
- Advanced physiotherapy practitioners, Anna Jessop and Helen Harper, demonstrated how innovative musculoskeletal services, including one-stop clinics, digital pathways and community-based initiatives, are improving patient journeys whilst delivering service efficiencies and cost savings
- Thoracic surgery trainee advanced clinical practitioner, Laura Hudson, presented a pioneering Day One Discharge Programme that has significantly reduced length of hospital stay, increased early discharge rates and enhanced patient flow while maintaining low readmission rates