{
  "abstract": "Background The Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) role is gaining momentum in numbers across the North West hospices. However, it is recognised anecdotally that the role can be isolating and there are variations in governance arrangements amongst organisations. Advanced Clinical Practitioners from across the region wished to create a network of peers for collaboration, support and role development.Aim To create a dynamic and effective community of practice (Wenger-Trayner, Wenger-Trayner. An introduction to communities of practice: a brief overview of the concept and its uses. 2015 June [internet]) for Advanced Clinical Practitioners working within palliative care across the North West.Method Advanced Clinical Practitioners worked together to create a directory of peer contacts from hospices and the NHS using a snowballing method. Emails to all regional hospices were used to spread the word amongst clinical leads and disseminate to their Advanced Clinical Practitioners. Terms of reference drawn up by the original members were subsequently reviewed as the group expanded. A combination of bi-monthly online and face-to-face meetings with themed agendas were coordinated amongst the group.Results The Advanced Clinical Practitioner Forum has provided the following benefits:Collaboration on developing consistent and robust governance arrangements.Networking, peer support and a buddy system for isolated or new Advanced Clinical Practitioners.Professional development opportunities.Sharing best practice and quality improvement project outcomes.A collective voice for advancing practice developments.Raising the profile of the role in the hospice sector.Conclusion A community of practice for palliative care Advanced Clinical Practitioners has brought a multitude of benefits to both the practitioners and their hospices. The collaboration has provided an opportunity to align ourselves with NHS colleagues and has enabled a louder and more structured voice as we all move together with advancing practice developments.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pendleside Hospice, Burnley, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Gill Isherwood"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P-241 Making connections: creating a regional advanced practice forum for palliative care",
  "uid": "c55a7cf5-94aa-5f6d-8566-959a95494ef1"
}