Service Overview
Advanced Practitioners (AP) and trainee Advanced Practitioners (tAP) work at Darent Valley Hospital in the Emergency Department, Paediatrics, Medicine, Stroke, Cancer, Elderly care/Frailty and Surgery units. They are either nurses, paramedics or pharmacists who, after many years of experience working in their own speciality areas, have completed or are completing a further 3 years Masters level training to qualify as an AP. This means that they now work alongside their medical colleagues assessing treating and managing patients to the same level as a Middle Grade Doctor.
What to Expect
Advanced practice is delivered by accomplished registered health and care professionals. It is a level of practice characterised by a high degree of autonomy and designated responsibility for complex decision making. This is underpinned by a post-registration master’s level award or equivalent undertaken by an experienced practitioner that encompasses all four pillars of clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.
Advanced practice embodies the ability to manage care in partnership with individuals, families, and carers. It includes the analysis and synthesis of complex problems, and management of clinical risk and uncertainty across a range of settings, enabling innovative solutions to expedite access to care, optimise people’s experiences, and improve outcomes.
In addition to completion of the Masters programme each AP utilises a competency portfolio to work through which once completed forms the basis of their clinical skills and capabilities.
Useful Links & Information
The NHS Long-Term Plan highlights how advanced practice is central to helping transform service delivery and better meet local health needs by providing enhanced capacity, capability, productivity and efficiency within multi-professional teams.
Related Information
Emergency contact info:
If you have think you have a genuine life-threatening emergency, visit the Accident & Emergency (also known as Emergency Department or casualty.) Alternatively, call 999.
Parking:
Info about parking. Parking may be limited and blue badge parking is in high demand so spaces may be limited.
Interpreter/Translation:
Please notify the person responsible for your referral (e.g. your GP) that you will require an interpreters/signer for your hospital appointment/admission.
Entertainment:
Most wards have access to Wi-Fi on NHSWi-Fi. Please contact the ward to confirm. Laptops and mobiles are allowed (if users are respectful of other patients – it’s a good idea to bring headphones and label devices clearly). We ask that you ensure any chargers that you may bring for devices are in a good working condition, so as not to cause a fire. Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust take no responsibility for damages or loss of property.
*Please be aware that some bedside entertainment may not be in use.
Discharge:
When our patients are assessed as medically fit for discharge by a Consultant, we will update the nominated contact or we will ask the patient to do this if they are able. We may ask our patients to wait in the discharge lounge whilst final arrangements are made. The Discharge Lounge is in the the ground floor (Level 1).
Carer Charter:
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust recognise that support during hospital visits from family, friends and carers is an integral part of a patients' recovery. That's why we welcome visitors throughout the day to best suit individuals and family needs. For more information on the Carers’ Charter and Carer Passport, please speak to the Ward Manager or email dgn-tr.patientexperience@nhs.net
Long Term Conditions Health Passport:
If you would like to complete a Long-Term Conditions Passport so that we are aware of your needs ahead of your visit, please click here to download the document. If you are unable to access the electronic format, you can request a paper version by emailing the Patient Experience Team dgn-tr.patientexperience@nhs.net We look forward to accommodating you.
Get up, Get Dressed, Get Moving:
Click here to view the Get up, Get dressed, Get moving patient information leaflet.
Click here to view the Get Up and Go booklet.
Protected meal times:
Click here to view the Protected Meal Times patient information leaflet.
Service feedback:
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