Managers' experience of training the associate practitioner role.

Aim: This paper documents findings from a service evaluation of clinical managers' (n = 5) perceptions of the assistant practitioner (AP) training programme in one National Health Service (NHS) Trust in South East England, UK.

Background: The AP has been identified in England as a means for supporting registered nurses and enhancing patient care. The development of the AP role requires managers to consider how the role will be embedded and how they work with education providers.

Meeting changing service need through role development: a case study for Band 4 assistant practitioners.

Aim: To debate the evolution of the Assistant Practitioner (AP) role and its impact on workforce development and Higher Education provision.

Background: The Band 4, AP, has been identified in England as a means for supporting Registered Nurses and enhancing patient care. However, the education and training of Band 4 AP requires new ways of partnership working between Trusts and Higher Education Institutions (HIEs) to ensure that programmes reflect employers needs and that the AP is fit for purpose.