What is consultant practice?

• Expertise in four domains necessary for enabling quality care from micro, to meso and macro levels of the system
• The key skill set for systems leadership and systems transformation aided by clinical credibility in own professional field
• Clinical academic role as an embedded researcher

We have co-developed the NHS England Consultant Practitioner Capability and Impact Framework. It’s creation builds on 20 years of clinical development and related research across different professions. A process of co-creation with practitioners, aspiring practitioners, professional organisations and related workforce stakeholders across the UK has continued the refinement. Aligned to the capabilities is an impact framework to present examples of impact in relation to each domain.   An important step in clearly outlining this level of practice.

The framework encompassed the career of the consultant and their expected impact, particularly across integrated systems. A Delphi Study to identify the capabilities and impacts that should demonstrate the transition from advanced to consultant level practice, at years 1-3 and 3-5 in the role.

Self-assessment tool

A national Delphi study involving participants across the UK has identified the key capabilities from the Capability and Impact Framework most relevant to three transition points in the advanced practice to consultant practice career progression and development journey: 

Below is a self-assessment guide for practitioners to support the developmental pathway from advanced to consultant level practice. It supports practitioners to evidence the impact of the role on practice. It recognises that pathways are unique to the learning and development needs of the individual, their practice setting and the needs and priorities of the services in which they work.

transition from Advanced Practice to Consultant Practice 

1-3 years in Consultant Practice 

3-5 years in Consultant Practice 

Consultant Resources