Assistant Practitioners in the NHS in England

Skills for Health (SfH) commissioned research to examine the use of Assistant Practitioners in the NHS in England and explore the benefits of their use, the barriers to their further implementation and identify ways in which SfH can support their further introduction. The research consisted of: a literature review looking at existing evidence around development of the Assistant Practitioner role; interviews with regional representatives of the Health Education England Local Education and Training boards, employers, higher and further education institutions, professional bodies and a Clinical Commissioning Group; and focus groups and interviews with trainee Assistant Practitioners and Assistant Practitioners.