Assessing the implementation of a pilot competency framework for advanced clinical practitioners in general practice

Advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) represent a growing professional group in primary care, driven by demographic shifts and systemic health pressures. The expansion of advanced practice (AP) is a cornerstone of the NHS workforce transformation policy. However, the absence of a unifying professional body for AP has resulted in inconsistent governance and a fragmented approach to high-quality continuous professional development (CPD) across the UK, particularly in primary care. The Haxby Group, a large medical practice in Yorkshire with an established AP workforce, piloted a 12-month internal competency framework to address this CPD gap. This discussion evaluates the framework's successes and challenges in bridging the CPD training gap within general practice. Additionally, the project demonstrated lateral benefits, including improved recruitment rates at the Haxby Group and enhanced regional collaboration between educational institutions. This article underscores the urgent need to prioritise CPD for ACPs in primary care within the national agenda of AP schools. The article advocates for the development of an accredited primary care credential to ensure standardised, high-quality CPD opportunities for ACPs nationwide.