#AssistantPractitioner Today's conference chairs:
Dezita Taylor-Robinson
Associate Professor- Head of Department for Pre-Qualifying Healthcare Practice
Birmingham City University
Ali Richards
Senior Lecturer Programme Lead - Assistant Practitioner
University of Cumbria
The importance of partnerships and how the RCN supports Assistant Practitioners
Ofrah Muflahi
Professional Lead - Nursing Support Workers
The Royal College of Nursing
With Kevin Morley
RCN Chair of the Nursing Support Worker Committee
• barriers to successful partnerships
• working through the challenges - being comfortable with the uncomfortable
• partnerships in action
A relationship between individuals or groups that is characterised by mutual cooperation
and responsibility, as for the achievement of a specified goal
Deliberate blending of capacities for the mutual benefits of involved parties
Possible Barriers to Effective Partnerships
• To much focus on individual benefit
• Silo Working rather than seeing mutual benefits
• Hidden agendas
• Differences in philosophies and ways of working
• Unequal balance of power and control
• Lack of opportunity to influence
• Lack of trust, openness and transparency
• Poor communication between partners and stakeholders
Barriers we encountered
• Attitudes and stereotypes
• Resistance to change
• History (fresh eyes new perspective)
• Lack of resources
• Lack of understanding for the need for change
Partnership in Action at the RCN
• Total leadership commitment and support
• Effective communications ( Welcoming AP’s into the membership)
• Regular meetings and updates
• Benefits to member
• Benefits to the organisation
• Benefits to the partnership
• Improved confidence in the service being provided
EXTENDED SESSION: Clinical Leadership and Progression Routes for Assistant Practitioners
Ali Richards
Senior Lecturer Programme Lead - Assistant Practitioner
University of Cumbria
• developing your clinical leadership skills
• progression routes for assistant practitioners
• transferable skills and development
• supporting AP development in our organisation
