Transforming Roles paper 9 - allied health professions advanced practice: equality impact assessment

Background

Transforming Roles Paper 09 provides national guidance to support the development and implementation of AHP advanced practice. It aims to embed:

• A consistent national definition of AHP advanced practice
• A consistent national job title format for AHP advanced practice roles
• Clear national guidance to maximise the contribution of AHP advanced practice roles across Scotland

The paper was developed through a collaborative process, with input from a Steering Group, Stakeholder Group and Reference Group. These groups included representatives from the Scottish Government, NES, NHS Boards, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), AHP professional bodies, education providers and the Health and Care Alliance Scotland.

This approach ensured broad engagement and careful consideration of potential impacts on staff and service users.

It was commissioned in response to the AHP Education and Workforce Policy Review and the NES report Scoping of AHP Advanced Practice in Scotland, which highlighted several challenges. The absence of a national definition of AHP advanced practice, wide variation in job titles and limitations in workforce data have hindered effective workforce planning and limited the scaling of existing roles. In addition, there is no systematic national approach to developing roles through education frameworks and career pathways, or to evaluating their impact.

Transforming Roles Paper 09 is expected to have a positive impact on staff by providing greater consistency and clarity about AHP advanced practice roles. A nationally agreed definition, job title format and role expectations will support more transparent career pathways and a systematic approach to role development. This reduces ambiguity, streamlines education and governance requirements, and enables more equitable access to development opportunities across NHS Boards. Improved workforce planning, clearer accountability structures and enhanced recognition of advanced practice roles are also expected to support staff wellbeing, confidence and professional identity.

It is also expected to have a positive impact on service users by delivering more consistent, safe and person-centred care. Standardised advanced practice roles support more reliable access to AHP expertise, reducing unwarranted variation between services and geographical areas. Clear governance and education pathways strengthen quality and safety, while streamlined roles and improved workforce planning enable more timely assessment, intervention and care coordination. Collectively, these developments are expected to improve equity of access, service efficiency and health outcomes, particularly for individuals with complex or long-term conditions.