Shahnaz Begum
How long have you been an ACP?
I have been working as a qualified ACP for approximately 12 months
What were your roles prior to becoming ACPs?
I was employed by the pharmacy department as lead pharmacist for gastroenterology prior to my move to hepatology. I have been working as a clinical pharmacist for about 8 years at that point.
What advantages does having an ACP in your area bring to patients and colleagues?
As an ACP, I am able to provide a holistic approach to patient care. Take comprehensive medical histories pertinent to patient care, carry out the necessary assessments and implement care plans autonomously. I carry out procedures in the course of care for hepatology patients. I am able to prescribe and I have extensive pharmaceutical knowledge enabling me to ensure all aspects of prescribing are considered. Patients with Liver problems tend to be the most unwell patients, thus being available to give advice or assistance in a timely manner is of the upmost importance.
Briefly describe your role in the multidisciplinary team?
I am a contact point for the ward teams when they require hepatology advice or act as liaison for the hepatology team. I am able to facilitate care for patient’s requiring hepatology services and discuss aspects of care with other specialities. Building these networks both on site and with external service providers allows for seamless care transfer and information sharing. I have good links with pharmacy and with pharmaceutical knowledge, I am the ‘go to’ person for information about drugs used in hepatology patients.
What has been the biggest challenge so far in your training to be an ACP?
Having to complete my studies while working full time as a pharmacist instead of being in immersive training as a trainee ACP has been the biggest challenge.
How do you see the role of ACP developing in Hepatology at BHFT?
Truthfully, I do not have an answer for this. The reason being that I may be one of a very few ACPs in hepatology thus don’t have a guide as to what my role could look like in the future. I know that the role of ACP remains largely unknown and unheard of in the trust. I would hope that, along with other ACPs, we are able to establish our positions as core members of the MDT.
Vicky Liddiard
What were your roles prior to becoming ACPs?
Started my career as a newly qualified nurse, graduated in London, began working on a rotation programme, moving round departments: cardiology, emergency assessment unit, infectious disease ward and community. I then got a permanent position as a band 5 on an acute medicine unit. Following this I progressed within my career to emergency medicine and started my post at the Luton & Dunstable hospital in the emergency department. I progressed to a Sister post within the emergency department and worked within this area for 3 years. I was very interested in educating others and found this very rewarding, an opportunity arose to join the practice education team on a secondment as the preceptorship lead. I was successful at securing this post, worked there for 1 year. Following this, I became a ward manager on the Complex Medicine Ward 19B for 1 year. I then was luckily enough to join the frailty team as a trainee ACP until I complete my Master in August 2024
What advantages does having an ACP in your area bring to patients and colleagues?
Full holistic approach and assessment, being able to provide a service from all areas to meet patient’s needs. Discussing and making autonomous decisions about patient care including; treatment, diagnostics, medication, future care planning to meet the patient’s needs.
Briefly describe your role in the multidisciplinary team?
Working collaboratively across the multidisciplinary team, involving all members associated with frailty patients care. Overseen by the consultants and working closely with the junior doctors. Being able to utilise the community services, working in partnership to provide the best quality care for our patients. Keeping the patient’s wishes at the centre of all decisions with input from the MDT to provide effective safe treatment for patients.
What has been the biggest challenge so far in your training to be an ACP?
The rapid expansion of the service and working within an area with limited governance. As the role is ever expanding and changing, trying to manage service demands and requirements whilst working within the required professional boundaries. As the role it allows for advance practice however being able to determine the scope of practice for frailty patients due to the complexity of the patients.
How do you see the role of ACP developing in frailty at BHFT?
The frailty team within BHFT is excellent, with brilliant support from the lead ACP and the consultants within elderly medicine. The role is always expanding to ensure the patients get the care required in the right place at the right time. The community settings is evolving which is exciting to be able to support patients at home. The demand for our services at the front door is ever expanding. I feel that the role within frailty will continue to develop and expand, with pathways to becoming nurse consultants with further governance and trust support.