AHPs in UEC - Pulse Group Newsletters

  •  AHPs in Urgent, Emergency and Crisis Care – Pulse Update

    Issue 1 I October 2025

    Hi everyone,

    It’s been a busy few weeks, but I’m excited to share the first AHP Pulse Newsletter. This space will keep you updated on the latest developments, opportunities, and ideas shaping the work of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in Urgent, Emergency and Crisis Care (UEC) — structured around the Four Pillars of Practice: Clinical, Leadership, Education, and Research.

    In this issue:
    • Clinical: Reflections from the HCPC webinar on extended scope of practice, plus upcoming events.
    • Leadership: The challenges — and power — of getting AHP voices heard in UEC.
    • Education: Updated list of TE Tracks courses and future learning opportunities.
    • Research: Ways to get involved in research, from small audits to larger projects.

     Clinical

    Advancing in an Extended Scope of Practice

    Advanced and enhanced practice continues to dominate professional discussions — and for good reason. It has the potential to transform patient care and system efficiency. But for many AHPs, progression can feel uncertain, especially when career pathways seem to revolve around filling medical gaps rather than developing unique AHP expertise.

    After attending the recent HCPC webinar on Advanced Practice and Scope of Practice, I reflected on how closely this aligns with my blog Are we enhancing or advancing practice for AHPs in UEC?

    Key takeaways:

    • Advanced practice represents a spectrum of development — from enhanced to advanced to consultant levels — not a single job title.

    • Clinicians can safely expand their scope of practice only when supported by training, supervision, and governance.

    • Scope of practice isn’t a fixed list of tasks — it’s about how you apply professional judgement, evidence, and accountability to work safely within your competence.

    • Transdisciplinary and expanded roles (like many in UEC) must be underpinned by clear governance, structured training, and demonstrable competence.

    A quick self-check for extended scope:
     Do I have the knowledge and skills to do this safely?
     Can I access suitable training and supervision?
     Is this activity legally restricted (e.g. prescribing)?
     Am I covered by professional indemnity insurance?

    To support this, I’m currently developing Enhanced Capabilities for AHPs working in Urgent and Emergency Care. These will be cross-referenced to multiple national frameworks to create a structured, progressive approach to capability development.

    Other updates:

    • RCOT & RCSLT Change Movement launches 8 October 2025. RCSLT and RCOT are working together on a change movement focusing on the future of advanced practice.  The launch event is tomorrow but you can find out more at: CD02 Looking to the Future - AHP Advanced Practice | The Royal College of Occupational Therapists or contacting claire.guyatt@rcot.co.uk or william.christopher@rcslt.org.

    • The Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) is reviewing its AHP competencies and forming a new working group. Membership is affordable and offers great value for AHPs in acute care.

    • The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) has launched a new e-learning course on continence in older people — one of many excellent resources supporting AHPs. Explore at britishgeriatricssociety.org.

     Leadership

    Finding Our Voice

    Leadership in UEC is about being heard — and having the courage to speak up even when it’s difficult.

    Physiotherapist and PhD student Christopher Tuckett recently reminded us that AHPs don’t need permission to lead. Leadership starts with showing up, contributing ideas, and co-creating solutions — not waiting until we feel “ready.”
     Read his LinkedIn post on AHP leadership and confidence.

    Still, many AHPs in UEC struggle to be heard within complex system structures. I’ve been reaching out to national and regional bodies to raise our profile — I’ll share progress in the next issue.

    I’m also broadening the conversation to include Social Care. These professionals experience similar pressures and offer vital perspectives on crisis response and continuity of care.
     Read my latest blog: Why I’m Including Social Care in the Conversation About UEC

     Education

    Building Confidence and Capability

    This month I’ve updated and expanded our TE Tracks course portfolio, now available across all UK mainland regions.

    If you’re based in Northern Ireland, I’m offering a special attendance rate — get in touch directly to learn more.

    These hands-on, practical courses are designed to strengthen confidence, clinical reasoning, and autonomy for AHPs, Nurses, and Social Care Practitioners working in UEC. Multi-booking discounts are also available for teams or individuals attending multiple sessions.

    Upcoming Courses (2025–26):
    •  Enhanced Functional Assessment in UEC
    •  Assessment & Management of Dizziness and Acute Balance Disturbance
    •  Minor Trauma Management in UEC
    •  Developing & Facilitating Learning in Fast-Paced Environments
    •  Assessment & Management of Mild Respiratory and Cardiac Presentations
    •  Health Promotion in Social Care for Common UEC Presentations

    Find details and booking links at  tetracks.co.uk

    I’m also pleased to share that planning has begun for the first AHPs in UEC Conference, provisionally set for June 2026 in London — more details next month!

     Research

    From Audit to Action

    We’re continuing to strengthen our focus on research and evidence-based practice.

    • I recently connected with CAHPR London (thanks to Harriet Shannon) — they shared practical advice: start small with service evaluations and clinical audits to grow a local research culture.
       Explore CAHPR resources and webinars
       Attend the next CAHPR London Networking Evening

    • The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a Call for Evidence to inform the upcoming 10-Year Workforce Plan — shaping how the NHS transitions from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention.
       Submit evidence here

    • Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Urgent and Emergency Care Research (CURE) continues to lead high-impact UEC research — definitely worth exploring.

     Final Thoughts

    AHPs in UEC are navigating turbulent waters — but we’re doing it together.
    Through collaboration, reflection, and innovation, we can enhance and advance practice in ways that improve patient care and sustain our workforce.

    Thank you for being part of this growing community.

    Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any organisations mentioned in this newsletter. All views expressed are my own and do not represent those of my employers or partners.

    Warm regards,
    Thomas Edwards
    Occupational Therapist | Adult Educator | Advanced Clinical Practitioner
     tetracks.co.uk

  • Hi everyone,

    Welcome to the second edition of the AHP Pulse Newsletter — a space to share the latest developments, opportunities, and reflections shaping the work of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in Urgent, Emergency, and Crisis Care (UEC).

    Each edition is structured around the Four Pillars of Practice — Clinical, Leadership, Education, and Research. Recognising that developing across all four can feel overwhelming at times, a good place to start is by reflecting on your current strengths and priorities. You can complete a short self-assessment at ahpcareers.co.uk/career-platform-one to identify which pillar to focus your development.

    In this issue:

    • Clinical: From pain and physiology to end-of-life care — new ways to strengthen your practice.

    • Leadership: Raising AHP visibility and influence in UEC, and embracing technology.

    • Education: New TE Tracks courses, coaching opportunities, and training resources.

    • Research: Embedding research and evidence in day-to-day clinical work.

    Clinical

    Cells at Work – learning physiology through creativity
    If you’re looking for a fresh way to revisit the science behind what we do, the Cells at Work anime series on Netflix is worth a look. My son introduced me to it — and surprisingly, it’s both entertaining and educational. It’s a reminder that learning doesn’t always have to come from textbooks and can help us explain physiology more engagingly to patients and learners alike.
     Watch on Netflix

    Functional Neurology Webinar – Society of Acute Medicine
    The Society of Acute Medicine continues to deliver relevant and high-quality education. This month’s session (Wednesday 19 November, 7.30–9.00pm) focuses on Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), led by Sarah McRae and Laura Daniell, Neuro Physiotherapists and FND Specialists.
    FND presentations are increasingly recognised in acute and emergency settings, where AHPs often play a key role in early assessment and management.
     Register for the webinar

    NACEL Webinar – End of Life Care in Hospitals
    The British Geriatrics Society’s next session (25 November, 13:00–14:05) explores findings from the National Audit of Care at End of Life (NACEL).
    For those of us working in acute and emergency care, understanding quality of care at the end of life is vital — many patients we see are living with advanced frailty or long-term conditions. This webinar offers insight into how hospital teams can better support those patients and their families.
     Join the NACEL Webinar

    Rethinking Pain – The King’s Fund Blog
    Pain remains one of the most common and complex reasons for hospital admission. This blog challenges us to reconsider traditional approaches to pain management and reflect on what ‘good care’ really means. For AHPs, particularly in UEC, this perspective can help shape more holistic, person-centred practice.
     Read the Blog

    Leadership

    Advanced Practice Newsletter
    For those on (or aspiring toward) the Advanced Practice pathway, NHS England’s regional faculties offer a wealth of support. The London Faculty for Advancing Practice newsletter is packed with insights, case studies, and leadership opportunities that are directly relevant to AHPs leading change in UEC. I have attached the latest edition but you can find out more and sign up at: 
     London Faculty for Advancing Practice or email: england.acpenquirieslondon@nhs.net.

    Technology and the NHS 10-Year Plan
    The King’s Fund recently published a blog exploring three major technological shifts in healthcare. For UEC clinicians, it’s worth reflecting on how we can begin integrating digital tools — from AI-supported decision-making to virtual care pathways — into our everyday practice.
     Read the Blog

    Discovering Yourself – 16 Personalities
    Understanding how you communicate and make decisions can transform team dynamics, especially in high-pressure environments like UEC. The 16 Personalities Test offers a useful way to reflect on your preferences and how you interact under stress or uncertainty — valuable insight for leadership and collaboration.

    Education

    TE Tracks Ltd – Social Purpose and Growth
    I’m delighted to share that TE Tracks Ltd is now a fully registered, socially purposed company, with plans to gain Social Enterprise status. This means we’ll be able to reinvest profits into expanding training access and supporting disadvantaged groups within healthcare.

    Coaching Offer
    As part of our future services, I am currently undertaking a Coaching Apprenticeship, As part of this course I need to gain some coaching experience. Coaching has been instrumental in my own development — improving reflection, resilience, and clarity of purpose. And so I am keen to offer this to other AHPs working in UEC. If you’d like some free coaching sessions then please do get in touch.

    Upcoming TE Tracks Courses (2025–26):

    All our courses are now mapped to the 10 year plan three pillars. Venues include London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Exeter. We are always exploring more venue options so if you are interested in any of the courses but there are no suitable dates or venues then please do get in touch to see how we can help. 

    We are also offering multi-booking discounts as well as special offers to AHPs in Northern Ireland and the Scottish Islands. Please get in touch to find out more. 

     Find out more about our course details and venues at tetracks.co.uk

    Other Training Providers:
    If you’re seeking additional learning opportunities, both M&K Update and Belmatt Healthcare provide a wide range of courses relevant to urgent and emergency care.

    Health Literacy – Foundation of Quality Care
    Health literacy — the ability for patients, carers, and staff to understand healthcare information — underpins safety, shared decision-making, and outcomes. This King’s Fund resource provides practical guidance on improving communication and understanding in every interaction.
     Improving Health Literacy in the NHS

    Research

    NIHR Future-Focused Leadership Programme
    The NIHR Leadership Programme develops clinicians as research leaders and system influencers. Although applications are currently closed, it’s worth keeping an eye on future intakes — particularly for AHPs aiming to embed evidence-based practice in UEC.
     Find out more

    Building a Research-Positive Culture
    This NHS England publication outlines how healthcare organisations can embed research into everyday practice — not as an add-on, but as part of how we deliver care. AHPs are central to this shift, with increasing opportunities to lead small audits, service evaluations, and collaborative studies.
     Read the Guide

    Final Thoughts

    Plans are underway for an AHP Summit 2026, scheduled for Wednesday 10 June 2026 in London. The theme, “Making the Impossible Possible,” aims to inspire AHPs across all professions to expand their knowledge and influence across the Four Pillars.

    Expect a day of expert talks, poster presentations, panels discussions and social movement through digital collaboration — all focused on redefining what’s possible for AHPs in UEC. I’m currently in discussion with potential partners and supporters to make this a day not to miss.

    Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any organisations mentioned in this newsletter. All views expressed are my own and do not represent those of my employers or partners.

    Warm regards,
    Thomas Edwards
    Director | TE Tracks Ltd
     tetracks.co.uk

  • AHPs in UEC – Pulse Newsletter –

    Issue 3 I December 2025

    Hi everyone,

    Welcome to the third edition of the AHPs in UEC Pulse Newsletter — a space to share developments, opportunities, and reflections shaping the work of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) across Urgent, Emergency and Crisis Care (UEC).

    Usually, this newsletter is structured around the Four Pillars of Practice — Clinical, Leadership, Education, and Research — but this month has been particularly energising on the research front, so we’re flipping the script and starting there.

    But first…

    Tickets now on sale: AHPs in UEC Summit – London, June 2026

    We’re officially six months away, and tickets are now live.
    Theme is “Making the Impossible Possible”.

    Early bird discount: 25% off the first 50 places.
    Standard ticket: £150
    Reserve-now-pay-later and group discounts are available.

    This Summit brings AHPs together to shape the future of urgent, emergency and crisis care through a mix of keynote talks, rapid-fire poster presentations, panel discussions and hands-on digital engagement. The day is designed to inspire, challenge and showcase the full breadth of AHP expertise across the four pillars of practice—clinical, leadership, education and research. Attendees will contribute to developing shared priorities for AHPs in this high-stakes area, while connecting with peers, inspirational and innovational leaders, and system stakeholders.

    If you would be interested in helping to plan the event then please get in touch!

    In this issue

    • Research: How to get involved in research – advice from the experts.

    • Clinical: How AHPs are and can contribute to UEC to reduce pressures on corridor care.

    • Leadership: HCPC guidance on extending scope of practice.

    • Education: A range of activities to support your personal and professional development.

    Research

    What research is currently happening in Urgent and Emergency Care?

    SURGE — Same Day & Urgent Care Workforce Research Partnership

    SURGE is an ongoing national project designed to generate high-quality research evidence capable of driving transformation across same-day and urgent care. Their goal: a thriving, diverse, sustainable workforce equipped for the complexity of modern UEC.

    More details: SURGE: Same day & urgent care workforce research partnership

    I reached out to Beth Jones, who is leading the project, and she is very keen to involve AHPs. They are planning focus groups and are willing to host an AHP-specific session (5–10 people, 1 hour).
    If you’d like to contribute your clinical insights and help shape future research priorities, let me know — I’m happy to organise an AHP group.

    Examples of AHP-led Research Activity

    Claire Flowers, Consultant Music Therapist and Research Leaders Programme participant, shared some brilliant examples from her network:

    • An ED Team Lead served as Principal Investigator for the WISE trial.

    • A Radiographer supporting local OT/PT teams has helped launch the NIHR-funded PIVOT project, while also leading smaller projects such as:

      • decaffeinated-drink interventions for falls prevention

      • an anti-slip socks improvement campaign

    Sheffield Hallam University’s CURE (Centre for Urgent and Emergency Care Research) also produces a large body of UEC research, predominantly in paramedicine and medical domains — but well worth following for system-wide insights.

    How to get started with your own research

    Three consistent pieces of advice from research leaders this month:

    1. Look at what’s already happening locally (NIHR networks).
    You may find studies that your team could join or support — a great route into research without starting from scratch.

    2. Start small with QI.
    As Harriet Shannon (CAHPR London) highlighted, a simple PDSA audit can uncover clear improvement opportunities.

    3. Look at your data.
    Matthew Linton (CSP Research Lead) advises beginning with what you already collect:
    What’s missing? What trends stand out?
    This often reveals the questions worth exploring.

    Where to find research funding

    CAHPR remains a good first point of contact for early research grants, though funding streams are changing.

    Your own NHS organisation may also offer small grants, and several professional bodies fund AHP research.

    Example: Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) Grants

    • Only for SAM members

    • £3,000–£6,000

    • Open to any MDT member

    • SAM offers application support

    • Projects can be qualitative or quantitative

    • Must begin by Oct 2026

    • Deadline: 16 January 2026

    Clinical

    Corridor Care: Latest Report

    The APPG has released a significant report on the rise of corridor care in Emergency Departments. Many AHPs face immense pressure assessing and discharging patients in these environments.

    The report highlights wide-ranging impacts on patient experience and staff wellbeing. Yet, the proposed solutions lean heavily on reducing discharge delays and system integration — areas where AHPs have huge potential influence.
    If you’re interested in contributing to collective AHP action on this issue, please get in touch.

    Report: ‘A national shame’: Research reveals devastating reality of so called ‘corridor care’ - RCEM

    Occupational Therapy in Urgent, Emergency and Crisis Care

    In September, RCOT hosted an Innovation Café supporting the visibility of Occupational Therapy within UEC. A new mental health crisis-response OT community of practice has also begun meeting.

    What stood out for me was how similar the themes were across mental health and physical health urgent care — shared challenges, shared opportunities, shared strengths.

    You can read more in my recent blog:
    An Occupationally focused approach to preventing hospital admissions – the role of Occupational Therapy in Urgent, Emergency and Crisis Care

    Transforming MSK Services in the Community

    Episode 21 of the Advanced Practice Weekly Podcast explores how Advanced Practitioners in West London are reshaping MSK care through virtual MDTs, Pain Cafés, and community assessment days — improving access, reducing referrals, and building a genuinely patient-centred model. This is a great example of ways to prevent crisis and reduced pressures on UEC.

    Listen here: https://on.soundcloud.com/hWiwRIEro2fTLZwQRl

    MSK and Joint Pain Resources

    I came across Physiotherapist Chloe Wilson (Wilson Health Ltd) on LinkedIn, who shares accessible explanations of joint pain and has authored several resources. Worth looking up if MSK is part of your UEC caseload.

    Leadership

    UEC Integration Network (LinkedIn)

    If you use LinkedIn, the Urgent & Emergency Care Integration Network run by Tom Pullen is a great way to connect and learn from others across the system — a practical step in developing your leadership capability.

    HCPC Webinar: Supervision & Delegation for Advanced Practice

    I joined an insightful HCPC session exploring supervision and delegation for AHPs working beyond traditional scopes of practice.
    The key message: expanding practice is supported — but must be accompanied by robust supervision, documented CPD, and training that may need to come from outside your own profession.

    Education

    Coaching Offer

    I’m progressing through my Coaching Apprenticeship and now booking introductory coaching sessions for early 2026.
    If you’d like free coaching tailored to working in UEC, feel free to get in touch.

    Upcoming TE Tracks Courses (2025–26)

    £60 introductory offer - West Midlands, 3 March 2026

    £60 introductory offer - West Midlands, 4 March 2026

    £100 - London, 28 April 2026

    £100 - London, 29 April 2026

    All courses are face to face, practical hands on and case discussion based learning. Courses are also now mapped to Enhanced Practice capabilities and the Three Shifts of the NHS 10-Year Plan and include “Train the Trainer” modules for sustainable and transformative learning.

    EdTech and Healthcare Education

    I recently attended an EdTech event in Newcastle focused on supporting students into healthcare careers. The themes were just as relevant to pre- and post-registration learning:

    • Simulation

    • VR and AR

    • Digital platforms

    • Immersive low-frequency scenario training

    These tools are increasingly available across hospitals, colleges, and universities — yet remain underused. More thoughts on this next month.

    Digital and Data Education Programme

    The new NHS Digital & Data Education Programme has now launched.
    Access: https://campus.digitalacademy.nhs.uk/
    You’ll need an NHS Leadership Academy account: https://profile.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/

    SAM & FPM Joint Conference — February 2026 / Next SAM Conference

    The first joint conference between SAM and FPM will explore challenges on the acute medical take. Spaces are expected to go quickly.

    The next SAM Conference is 30 April – 1 May 2026 in Cardiff, with strong MDT (and strong AHP) representation.

    More details: Society for Acute Medicine

    Final Thoughts

    This time of year is demanding, and it’s easy to lose sight of your own development. Pulling this edition together reminded me how many opportunities and communities exist — but also how hard it can be to take that first step when the workload is relentless.

    Many of the ideas, links and insights shared here start with one practical action: reaching out. Whether it’s your AHP lead, research team, local networks, or a colleague — support is more available than it sometimes feels. My top tip is to take 5 minutes to just send an email, sometimes this can start a cascade of activity that opens up the opportunities to get involved.

    And if you’re unsure where to go or feel you’re not getting the support you need, please get in touch. I’ll help however I can.

    Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any organisations mentioned in this newsletter. All views expressed are my own and do not represent those of my employers or partners.

    Warm regards,
    Thomas Edwards
    Director | TE Tracks Ltd
    www.tetracks.co.uk      

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