School of Advanced & Continuing Practice

The School of Advanced and Continuing Practice offers a diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate level study; short clinical courses and study days for staff working in health care or related practice arenas. These are provided within the undergraduate and post graduate health care practice framework and the advanced practice framework. These programmes enable students to study both core and practice related modules at their own pace, either taking stand alone modules or as part of an award.  The School works closely with practice partners and actively engages in collaborative partnerships with voluntary agencies and further education colleges.  The post graduate provision is currently being developed to include a Professional Doctorate (Nursing, Social Work, Education, Allied Health Professionals), which will be launched in September 2010.

The School offers opportunities for nurses wishing to return to practice or for those who have studied and worked abroad; and for qualified practitioners who wish to develop their professional skill and knowledge base. Key specialist subject areas include critical care, cancer & palliative care, tissue viability, nursing, diabetes, respiratory, cardiac, orthopaedic, child health, mental health, physical assessment, research, management and leadership.  The School is engaged in workforce development activities, working in collaboration with practice partners to design practice education to aid the transformation of the workforce in line service reformation outlined in the Darzi review.  Some courses offered in the school, for example Nurse Practitioner, are professionally accredited, approved and regulated by bodies such as the Nursing & Midwifery Council and the Royal College of Nursing.

Key to the success of these courses is staff expertise, with staff undertaking scholarly external engagement with an array of practice arenas across NW London.  Many staff hold honorary contracts with the local trusts and are engaged in practice related research projects as part of their own continuing professional development; impacting positively on the delivery and development of education provision within the School.

We are continually seeking new opportunities to help support and develop the workforce through transformational practice development and we welcome invitations to work in partnership with health and independent sectors to create innovative and stimulating practice related programmes to support staff in the workplace to deliver a service of the highest standard and quality.

Lauren Griffiths
(Head of School - Advanced & Continuing Practice)