Extent and effectiveness of the Scope of Professional Practice

This paper describes a survey commissioned by the NHS Executive (West Midlands office) Nursing Directorate in conjunction with the Research and Development Directorate. The study aimed to explore the extent of initiatives associated with the UKCC's Scope of Professional Practice in 58 trusts in the West Midlands. The data were produced through semi-structured interviews with professional heads of nursing, professional development staff and educators, together with postal questionnaires to a sample of 100 clinical managers in all branches of nursing and midwifery. The results indicate that the activities associated with the Scope of Professional Practice are not easily defined. There is support for the UKCC document, although there are reservations about the forces behind it, and insufficient resources are an obstacle to role and practice developments. To gain the most benefit from this initiative, it is argued, nursing and midwifery practitioners must plan the development of their roles carefully.