Information

Scottish Parliament electionthis site will be updated once a new Cabinet is appointed.

Transforming Roles paper 9: allied health professions advanced practice

Guidance for developing Allied Health Professions (AHP) advanced practice roles in Scotland. Outlines policy context, role definition, education pathways, governance, and impact metrics to support consistent, sustainable workforce transformation across health and social care.


Appendix 3: References

1. Scottish Government (2025). NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/nhs-scotland-operational-improvement-plan/ [Accessed 14 July 2025].

2. Scottish Government (2025). Scotland’s Population Health Framework 2025-2035. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-population-health-framework/documents/ [Accessed 14 July 2025].

3. Scottish Government (2025). Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework 2025-2035. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/health-social-care-service-renewal-framework/documents/ [Accessed 14 July 2025].

4. Scottish Government (2025). Getting it right got everyone (GIRFE). Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/getting-it-right-for-everyone-girfe/ [Accessed 12 August 2025].

5. Scottish Government (2016). A National Clinical Strategy for Scotland. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-clinical-strategy-scotland/ [Accessed 12 August 2025].

6. Scottish Government (2025). Realistic Medicine. Available from: https://realisticmedicine.scot/ [Accessed 12 August 2025].

7. Scottish Government (2016). Recovery and rehabilitation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: framework for supporting people. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/framework-supporting-people-through-recovery-rehabilitation-during-covid-19-pandemic/ [Accessed 12 August 2025].

8. Scottish Government (2022). Rehabilitation and recovery: a person-centred approach. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/rehabilitation-recovery-once-scotland-person-centred-approach-rehabilitation-post-covid-era/pages/7/ [Accessed 12 August 2025].

9. Scottish Government (2022). National Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care in Scotland. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-workforce-strategy-health-social-care/ [Accessed 6 January 2025].

10. Scottish Government (2023). Allied Health Professions – education and workforce policy review: recommendations. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/allied-health-professions-education-workforce-policy-review-recommendations/documents/ [Accessed 6 January 2025].

11. Scottish Government (2017). Transforming nursing, midwifery and health professions roles: introduction. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/transforming-nursing-midwifery-health-professions-roles-introduction/ [Accessed 6 January 2025].

12. Skills for Health (2010). Key elements of the Career Framework. Available from: https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Career_framework_key_elements.pdf [Accessed 11 April 2025].

13. Evans, C., Poku, B., Pearce, R., Eldridge, J., Hendrick, P., Knaggs, R., Blake, H., Yogeswaran, G., McLuskey, J., Tomczak, P., Thow, R., Harris, P., Conway, J. and Collier, R. (2021). Characterising the outcomes, impacts and implementation challenges of advanced clinical practice roles in the UK: a scoping review. BMJ open, 11(8), e048171. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048171

14. Vedanayagam, M., Buzak, M., Reid, D. and Saywell (2021). Advanced practice physiotherapists are effective in the management of musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of systematic reviews. Physiotherapy. 2021;113:116-130. doi:10.1016/j.physio.2021.08.005

15. Oliveira, C., Barbosa, B., Couto, J.G., Bravo, I., Khine, R. and McNair, H. (2022). Advanced practice roles of therapeutic radiographers/ radiation therapists: A systematic literature review. Radiography (Lond). 2022;28(3):605-619. doi:10.1016/j.radi.2022.04.009

16. Blondin, J., Desmeules, F., Matifat, E. and Kechichian, A. (2024). Patients presenting with musculoskeletal disorders in the emergency department: A qualitative study of their experiences when cared by advanced practice physiotherapist in the province of Quebec. Musculoskeletal Care. 2024;22(3):e1914. doi:10.1002/msc.1914

17. Alexander, S.E., Booth,l, Delacroix, L., Gordon, A., Kirkpatrick, N. and Tree, A.C. (2021). Evaluation of a urology specialist therapeutic radiographer implemented radiotherapy pathway for prostate cancer patients. Radiography (Lond). 2021;27(2):430-436. doi:10.1016/j.radi.2020.10.006

18. Bicker, G., Hadley-Barrows, T., Saunders, A., Mairs, H. and Stevenson, K. (2024). A narrative synthesis of the effectiveness and acceptability of musculoskeletal first contact physiotherapy practitioner roles in primary care. https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1875

19. NHS Education for Scotland (2024). Scoping of AHP Advanced Practice in Scotland. Available from: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/85313/advanced-practice-toolkit/introduction-to-advanced-practice/advanced-practice-roles/advanced-practice-in-the-allied-health-professions-ahps/ahp-advanced-practice/scoping-of-ahp-advanced-practice-in-scotland [Accessed 28 August 2025].

20. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Advanced practice toolkit. Available from: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/63343/advanced-practice-toolkit [Accessed 28 January 2025].

21. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). What are the advanced practice academies? Available from: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/67632 [Accessed 28 August 2025].

22. Chief Allied Health Professions Officers (2024). Advanced practice in the Allied Health Professions (AHPs). Available from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/globalassets/news-and-events/blog/four-country-ap-statement-oct-2024.pdf [Accessed 28 August 2025].

23. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Proposed national job title format for AHP advanced practice roles. Available from: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/86283/advanced-practice-toolkit/introduction-to-advanced-practice/advanced-practice-roles/advanced-practice-in-the-allied-health-professions-ahps/ahp-advanced-practice/nomenclature-consultation-on-ahp-advanced-practice [Accessed 9 October 2025].

24. Audit Scotland (2023). NHS in Scotland 2022. Available from: https://audit.scot/publications/nhs-in-scotland-2022#main-report [Accessed 17 February 2025].

25. Hardy, M (2021). Advanced Practice: Research Report. Available from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/globalassets/resources/policy/independent-research-report-advanced-practice-27th-january-2021.pdf [Accessed 25 February 2024].

26. HCPC (2024). Updates on Advanced Practice. Available from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/news-and-events/blog/2024/updates-on-advanced-practice/ [Accessed 25 February 2025].

27. HCPC (2025) Webinar series on scope of practice and delegation at advanced levels of practice. Available from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/news-and-events/news/2025/webinars-scope-of-practice-advanced-practice/?dm_i=2NJF [Accessed 17 July 2025].

28. Healthcare Improvement Scotland (2025). Clinical governance standards. Available from: https://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.scot/publications/clinical-governance-standards/ [Accessed 8 July 2025].

29. NHS England (2022). Advanced Practice Governance Maturity Matrix. Available from: https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/news-and-events/governance-of-advanced-practice-in-health-and-care-provider-organisations/ [Accessed 15 July 2025].

30. NHS England (in press). Minimum Standards of Governance for the multiprofessional advanced and consultant level practice workforce.

31. HCPC (2024). Scope of practice. Available from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/meeting-our-standards/scope-of-practice/ [Accessed 15 July 2025].

32. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (2025). Scope of practice. Available from: https://www.csp.org.uk/professional-clinical/professional-guidance/scope-practice [Accessed 15 July 2025].

33. Society of Radiographers (2025). Guidance on scope of practice for advanced practitioners and consultant practitioners. Available from: https://www.sor.org/learning-advice/professional-body-guidance-and-publications/documents-and-publications/policy-guidance-document-library/guidance-on-scope-of-practice-for-ap-2025 [Accessed 16 September 2025].

34. NHS England (2020). Education and Training Standards. Available from: https://digital.nhs.uk/services/training-quality-improvement/education-and-training-standards-and-benchmarking [Accessed 15 September 2025].

35. Lumina Foundation (2019). Learning Frameworks: Tools for Building a Better Educational Experience. Available from: https://www.luminafoundation.org/resource/learning-frameworks/ [Accessed 24 July 2025].

36. Skills for Health (2022). Standardisation of Frameworks: Guidelines and standards for the production and revision of capability and competency frameworks. Available from: Standardisation of Fwks Report FINAL 14 Mar 22.docx [Accessed 24 July 2025].

37. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Developing Frameworks. Available from: https://frameworks.nes.digital/developing-frameworks/ [Accessed 15 September 2025].

38. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Development Framework. Available from: https://www.nmahpdevelopmentframework.nes.scot.nhs.uk/ [Accessed 28 May 2025].

39. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Specialist Nursing in Cardiology. Available from: https://frameworks.nes.digital/specialist-nursing-in-cardiology/ [Accessed 4 July 2025].

40. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Principles for the AHP Advanced Practice Trainee Role. Available from: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/86278/advanced-practice-toolkit/introduction-to-advanced-practice/advanced-practice-roles/advanced-practice-in-the-allied-health-professions-ahps/resources-for-all-professions Accessed 9 October 2025].

41. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Allied health professions (AHP) preceptorship hub. Available from: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/80028/allied-health-professions-ahp-preceptorship-hub [Accessed 21 August 2025].

42. HCPC (2023). Principles for Preceptorship. Available from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/resources/information/principles-for-preceptorship/ [Accessed 21 August 2025].

43. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Professional Portfolio. Available from: https://turasnmportfolio.nes.nhs.scot/ [Accessed 25 June 2025].

44. NHS Education for Scotland (2018). Scotland’s Position Statement on Supervision for Allied Health Professions. Available from: AHP Supervision Statement_April 2018.pdf Minimum standards for supervision – Advanced Practice [Accessed 8 July 2025].

45. NHS England (2025). Standards for Workplace Supervision for Advanced Practice. Available from: https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/supervision/minimum-standards-for-supervision/ [Accessed 8 July 2025].

46. Scottish Government (2024). Protecting Learning Time for Agenda for Change Staff in NHS Scotland. Available from: https://www.publications.scot.nhs.uk/files/pcs2024-afc-01.pdf [Accessed 8 July 2025].

47. Scottish Government (2022). NHS Scotland: Climate Emergency & Sustainability Strategy 2022-2026. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/nhs-scotland-climate-emergency-sustainability-strategy-2022-2026/documents/ [Accessed 2 September 2025].

48. Scottish Government (2022). Fair Work Action Plan: Becoming a leading Fair Work Nation by 2025. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/fair-work-action-plan-becoming-leading-fair-work-nation-2025/ [Accessed 2 September 2025].

49. NHS Education for Scotland (2025) Turas Data Intelligence. Available from: https://turasdata.nes.nhs.scot [Accessed 17 March 2025].

50. The Scottish Public Health Observatory (2025). Burden of disease: overview. Available from: https://www.scotpho.org.uk/comparative-health/burden-of-disease/overview/ [Accessed 17 March 2025].

51. Public Health Scotland (2025). Publications. Available from: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/ [Accessed 17 March 2025].

52. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Advanced practice toolkit: Workforce planning and service needs analysis. Available from: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/64943 [Accessed 26 May 2025].

53. Scottish Government (2011). Revised Workforce Planning Guidance 2011. Available from: https://www.publications.scot.nhs.uk/files/cel2011-32.pdf [Accessed 26 May 2025].

54. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Workforce data, planning and transformation. Available from: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/70841 [Accessed 27 August 2025].

55. HCPC (2025). Data hub. Available from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/data/ [Accessed 23 July 2025].

56. Scottish Ambulance Service (2025). Advanced Practitioner in Urgent & Primary Care – National Rotational Model. Available from: https://turasnmportfolio.nes.nhs.scot/SharePack/Step4/SharedLink?sharingLink=dac937a7-99ac-440c-834c-a5aedbd25203 [Accessed 11 September 2025].

57. Scottish Government (2024). Planning with People: community engagement and participation guidance. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/planning-people-community-engagement-participation-guidance-updated-2024/ [Accessed 18 June 2025].

58. Skills for Health (2023). Six Steps Methodology to Integrated Workforce Planning®. Available from: https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/resources/six-steps-methodology-to-integrated-workforce-planning/ [Accessed 26 May 2025].

59. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). AHP Skills Maximisation Toolkit. Available from: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/81714/workforce-data-planning-and-transformation/ahp-skills-maximisation-toolkit [Accessed 3 June 2025].

60. NHS Education for Scotland (2021). Allied Health Professions Workforce Planning. Available from: https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/media/ctzlfxrr/allied-health-professional-workforce-planning.pdf [Accessed 15 September 2025].

61. NHS England (2025). Multi-professional framework for advanced practice in England. Available from: https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/multi-professional-framework-for-advanced-practice/ [Accessed 22 May 2025].

62. Scottish Ambulance Service (2025). Advanced Practice Paramedics Cost Considerations. Available from: https://turasnmportfolio.nes.nhs.scot/SharePack/Step4/SharedLink?sharingLink=e923d314-2d1e-4b51-af4f-60188ee407db [Accessed 11 September 2025].

63. Scottish Government (2025). Agenda for Change: Evaluation of Newly Developed Posts – Refreshed Guidance. Available from: https://www.publications.scot.nhs.uk/files/pcs2025-afc-02.pdf [Accessed 27 May 2025].

64. Scottish Government (2022). NHS Scotland Job Evaluation Policy. Available from: https://www.publications.scot.nhs.uk/files/dl-2022-03.pdf [Accessed 27 May 2025].

65. Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (2025). Paediatric and child health advanced practice area specific capability and curriculum framework (PCHCF). Available from: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/pchcf [Accessed 8 August 2025].

66. Scottish Ambulance Service (2025). Advanced Practice – Core and Specific Clinical Competencies Operational Framework. Available from: https://turasnmportfolio.nes.nhs.scot/SharePack/Step4/SharedLink?sharingLink=f87b89bf-f0a9-437c-a352-6ec342c599da [Accessed 11 September 2025].

67. Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (2025). Interactive Framework: Level 11. Available from: https://scqf.org.uk/interactive-framework/level-11/ [Accessed 25 February 2025].

68. Scottish Ambulance Service (2025). Advanced Practice University Programme Tender Criteria. Available from: https://turasnmportfolio.nes.nhs.scot/SharePack/Step4/SharedLink?sharingLink=c23e25a0-a14a-44fb-a4a5-96ec81b75496 [Accessed 11 September 2025].

69. NHS Education for Scotland (2016). Advanced Nursing Practice Service & Education Needs Analysis Tool. Available from: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/72615/advanced-practice-toolkit/workforce/service-needs-analysis-tool [Accessed 15 September 2025].

70. Scottish Ambulance Service (2025). Advanced Practice Training Programme. Available from: https://turasnmportfolio.nes.nhs.scot/SharePack/Step4/SharedLink?sharingLink=3105d3de-4e93-4aeb-b248-2491ed45b29d [Accessed 11 September 2025].

71. British Dietetic Association (2025). Advanced Practice Case Study. Available from: https://www.bda.uk.com/static/e31baecc-0f58-4470-a469631bb0983b82/Advanced-Practice-Case-Study-MariaB.pdf [Accessed 7 August 2025].

72. Barr, L. (2021). My journey to advanced orthotic practice in the UK. Available from: https://progress.oandp.com/Articles/ViewArticle/2021-10-01/my-journey-to-advanced-orthotic-practice-in-the-uk [Accessed 15 September 2025].

73. Royal College of Podiatry (2025). Case studies. Available from: https://rcpod.org.uk/workforceprogramme/modernisation-and-reform/case-studies [Accessed 7 August 2025].

74. British and Irish Orthoptic Society (2025). Professional Development Framework: Guidance for the orthoptic workforce. Available from: https://www.orthoptics.org.uk/bios-launch-professional-development-framework/ [Accessed 15 September 2025].

75. British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (2024). Career Development Framework for Prosthetists and Orthotists. Available from: https://www.ahpf.org.uk/files/BAPO-Careers-Development-Framework-for-Prosthetists-and-Orthotists.pdf [Accessed 14 July 2025].

76. College of Radiographers (2022). Education and Career Framework for the Radiography Workforce Fourth Edition. Available from: https://www.collegeofradiographers.ac.uk/education-and-career-framework-ecf [Accessed 14 July 2025].

77. Scottish Ambulance Services (2025). Examples of suitable evidence for competencies. Available from: https://turasnmportfolio.nes.nhs.scot/SharePack/Step4/SharedLink?sharingLink=5e58d906-2650-4068-aff4-1bcec75b07c1 [Accessed 11 September 2025].

78. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Professional Portfolio Resource List. Available from: https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/media/ohmegdr0/resources-supporting-the-turas-portfolio-250326-v2.pdf [Accessed 9 September 2025].

79. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Principles for use of the AHP Professional Portfolio. Available from: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/86278/advanced-practice-toolkit/introduction-to-advanced-practice/advanced-practice-roles/advanced-practice-in-the-allied-health-professions-ahps/resources-for-all-professions [Accessed 9 October 2025].

80. NHS Education for Scotland (2025) NMAHP Development Framework: Level 7 Advanced Practice Sign Off and Development Needs Analysis Tool. Available from: https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nmahpdevelopmentframework.nes.scot.nhs.uk%2Fmedia%2F2yil1e3z%2Flevel-7-sign-off-and-development-needs-analysis-tool-v1.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK [Accessed 9 September 2025].

81. Scottish Ambulance Service (2025). Final Sign-Off Submission Process. Available from: https://turasnmportfolio.nes.nhs.scot/SharePack/Step4/SharedLink?sharingLink=584b1f79-f6ad-435a-8359-5157eb60b945 [Accessed 11 September 2025].

82. Scottish Ambulance Service (2025). Generic Advanced Practitioner Job Description. Available from: https://www.scottishambulance.com/media/ntlfokgi/advanced-practitioner-urgent-and-primary-care-jd.pdf [Accessed 11 September 2025].

83. HCPC (2020). The characteristics of effective clinical and peer supervision in the workplace: a rapid evidence review. Available from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/resources/reports/2019/effective-clinical-and-peer-supervision-report/ [Accessed 21 August 2025].

84. NHS Scotland (2023). Scottish Clinical Imaging Network (SCIN) National Framework for the Musculoskeletal Reporting Radiographer. Available from: https://www.nn.nhs.scot/scin/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/NSD610-005.20-SCIN-National-Framework-for-the-Musculoskeletal-Reporting-Radiographer.pdf [Accessed 17 June 2025].

85. NHS Education for Scotland (2025). Allied Health Professions (AHP) support and supervision. Available from: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/30465 [Accessed 21 August 2025].

86. HCPC (2021). Supervision, leadership and culture. Available from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/meeting-our-standards/supervision-leadership-and-culture/ [Accessed 21 August 2025].

87. Scottish Ambulance Service (2025). Advanced Practice Clinical Supervision. Available from: https://turasnmportfolio.nes.nhs.scot/SharePack/Step4/SharedLink?sharingLink=276c1748-f45c-4702-85e8-a1f3e5630d29 [Accessed 11 September 2025].

88. HCPC (2025). Continuing professional development (CPD). Available from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/cpd/ [Accessed 11 September 2025].

89. Scottish Ambulance Service (2025). Advanced Practice Clinical Appraisal Standards. Available from: https://turasnmportfolio.nes.nhs.scot/SharePack/Step4/SharedLink?sharingLink=276c1748-f45c-4702-85e8-a1f3e5630d29 [Accessed 11 September 2025].

90. NHS England (2025). Measuring and Evaluating the Impact of Advanced Practice. Available from https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/regional-faculties-for-advancing-practice/regional-faculty-for-advancing-practice-south-east/education-and-training/ [Accessed 3 November 2025].

91. NHS England (2020). Core Capabilities Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice (Nurses) Working in General Practice/Primary Care in England. Available from: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/ACP%20Primary%20Care%20Nurse%20Fwk%202020.pdf [Accessed 11 September 2025].

92. Scottish Government (2016). Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2014-15. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/chief-medical-officers-annual-report-2014-15/ [Accessed 19 August 2025].

93. NHS England (2023). Glossary of key terms used in the Centre credential approval and assurance process. Available from: https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/credentials/glossary-of-key-terms-credentials/ [Accessed 18 September 2025].

94. NHS England (2021). Workforce Transformation. Available from: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/workforce-transformation [Accessed 8 January 2025].

Contact

Email: cno@scot.gov

Back to top