Simon works as a trainee advanced practitioner across learning disability services at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust. He is a registered learning disability nurse and has been working in this field since he first started as a health care assistant. We recently took some time out to speak to Simon to learn more about his role.
Simon works at Level 7 across the four pillars of advanced practice
| Clinical | – Supporting discharge from the hospital and safe transition to the community – Liaising with teams to enhance the care for people who are autistic – Project work supporting the reduction of restrictive interventions |
| Leadership | – Increasing safe discharge by improving pathways of care – Multi-agency approaches to develop systems supporting patients with complex needs – Risk management processes – Implementation of professional nurse advocate role |
| Education | – Increasing safe discharge by improving pathways of care – Multi-agency approaches to develop systems supporting patients with complex needs – Risk management processes – Implementation of professional nurse advocate role |
| Research | – Supporting knowledge translation and evidence into practice – Participating in national the SOTSEC-ID research programme – Implementing Quality of Life measures through patient journey |
Why Advanced Practice?
After qualifying as a Learning Disability nurse in 2019, I worked within an inpatient service in Wales, before moving to a unit in Gloucestershire. I rose through the management ranks until I was managing the unit. I was moving away from clinical practice but wanted to remain in practice and expand my skills and knowledge base. So when the opportunity to enhance my clinical skills as well as develop my leadership skills within advanced practice came along, I knew it was the right route for me.
What is the best thing about your role and training?
The most enjoyable part of my role is seeing people with complex needs flourish. When the teams involved have worked collaboratively to be sure the patients transition to the community is well supported and coordinated around their needs.
The most challenging part of my training is learning new skills outside of my comfort zone, such as diagnostic reasoning related to physical health.
Why is Advanced Practice good for patients?
Advanced practitioners keep an eye on the big picture and understand how our services and teams can collaborate to benefit our patients. I establish and maintain relationships across several teams and services. Helping them implement current evidence, develop connections, reflect on their practice and plan together to best meet the needs of patients with complex needs moving towards independence.
As a result of my work in joining up services, my patients frequently want me to continue to be involved in their care and support.
How do you see your future as an Advanced Practitioner?
I would like to see a range of multi-professional advanced practitioners working across our services. Supporting the system to lessen the inequalities faced by people with learning disabilities and autism. Advanced practitioners will provide support and expertise from a multi-professional perspective to patients and their teams to ensure patients receive the best care possible.
I hope that having advanced practitioners in this service will provide a career pathway that will contribute to recruitment and retention of health professionals.
Feedback from a colleague “Simon has encouraged active multi-agency reflection on events. This has identified how we can use this learning to promote positive outcomes for individuals, particularly related to community discharges. This included ensuring that the views and wishes of the individual are central to the multi-agency work.”
Read more advanced practice case studies from the South West region here