The NHS has seen the emergence of new professional roles working within multi-professional teams as part of the continuing drive to provide safe, accessible high-quality care for patients in hospital and community services. Medical Associate Professions (MAP) roles have been identified as part of the solution to workforce issues outlined in the NHS People Plan.
The HEE MAPs Oversight Board work in partnership with representatives of the devolved administrations, Medical Royal Colleges and their affiliated faculty representatives, to develop and shape the post-registration education, training and careers for each of the three MAPs roles:
- Anaesthesia associate (AA)
- Physician associate (PA)
- Surgical care practitioner (SCP)
Core Capabilities Framework
In February 2021, HEE commissioned Skills for Health to lead the development of a MAPs core capabilities framework. This was published in June 2022. The framework can be used alongside other professional frameworks, standards and guidelines and will be of value to those delivering, planning, and developing services and roles including medical associate professions at all stages of their career, service managers and those commissioning both education and clinical services.
It can be used as the basis for formal or informal appraisal, alongside a training needs analysis, comparing current skills and knowledge with those that are required, as well as assisting staff in the development of a portfolio of evidence of capability.
It sets out clear expectations for each of the MAPs roles about the requirements for effective and safe practice. It provides clarity about characteristics and requirements as well as setting out a structure of core capabilities to practice. There are high level descriptors so that more detailed skills and knowledge can be agreed and developed within the acute, community and primary care settings these roles work in.