Overview
Are you working at an advanced level of practice and ready to transition to consultant practice? Or are work working in a consultant practice role and hoping to get support within your development? This unit has been developed to aid understanding of the definitions of consultant practice, and to provide an experiential journey of transformative learning, the vehicle to becoming a transformational systems leader.
The UK government’s 2025 “Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England” outlines a bold transformation of the NHS, and consultant-level practice plays a key role in this vision. The plan emphasizes three major shifts: from hospital to community care, analogue to digital systems, and sickness to prevention. Consultant practitioners are expected to lead these changes by applying advanced clinical expertise, driving innovation, and championing systems leadership across multidisciplinary teams.
Consultants will be central to the development of Neighbourhood Health Centres—new community-based hubs offering integrated services like diagnostics, mental health support, and rehabilitation. These centres aim to be open 12 hours a day, six days a week, and will rely on consultant-level professionals to guide service design, mentor teams, and ensure quality care delivery.
The plan also introduces new workforce models and contracts, encouraging consultants to take leadership roles in shaping care at both local and regional levels. Their involvement is crucial in aligning clinical practice with digital transformation, preventive care strategies, and the broader goals of health equity and sustainability.
Course Details
This 3-day, 10 credit masters level (level 7) unit has been developed based on the definitions and the learning and development of consultant level practice across nursing, midwifery and the Allied Health Professions with a foundation of international literature. The evidence highlights a widespread lack of clarity regarding the purpose and definitions of consultant-level practice. It reveals a distinct gap between advanced-level practice and the transition toward developing consultant-level capabilities. While advanced practice lays the groundwork for clinical expertise, it does not equip clinicians with the necessary skills to evolve into reflexive, transformational leaders within complex systems.
This unit has therefore been developed to aid understanding of the definitions of consultant practice, and to provide an experiential journey of transformative learning, the vehicle to becoming a transformational systems leader.
The unit is spilt into 3 days with day one being available on an attendance only basis for those exploring their readiness for the transition to consultant level practice. Day one will be delivered through online, live learning. Following Day 1 you will complete a mapping against the advanced to consultant practice capabilities of the consultant capability and impact framework to identify training needs analysis
Delegates may wish to exit the process following Day 1 if they completed the mapping process and do not feel ready to progress with their transition. Days 2 and 3 are delivered though face to face learning to create an environment for transformative learning experience with a 2-day placement outside their normal working environment in between. All delegates therefore should have negotiated their 2-day placement before attending Day 2.
As a unique Health Sciences University, HSU has developed a wide range of educational opportunities for health and care professionals. Provision at HSU is delivered by experts and clinicians that combine roles in both academia and clinical practice. This unit will be led by a team of consultant level practitioners who have contributed towards the growing evidence base in non-medical consultant roles.
To find out more, please read the course specification below:
Mind the Gap transformative learning for consulting practice – Course specification
What will you learn on the course?
You will develop the knowledge, skills, and practical insight to lead transformational change within complex health systems. This includes understanding the neuropsychological foundations of leadership, applying personality tools, and facilitating transformative learning. You will explore how affective and experiential learning shape clinical expertise and leadership, fostering personal growth and preparing for the transition to consultant-level practice through reflection and self-directed challenge.
This will include:
- Definitions of advanced and consultant level practice from a national and international perspective
- How to map to the consultant capability and impact framework to assess learning needs
- Understanding of transformational systems leadership and how this relates across all the domains of consultant level practice
- Gain an understanding of Mezirow’s transformative learning theory and how transformative learning is fundamental to gain the reflexivity required for systems transformation.
- The importance of the development of a support network to facilitate the emotive experience of transformative learning
- Experiential learning of disorientating dilemma, supported critical self-reflection and initiation of personal change
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements 
This unit is designed for clinicians at all levels of practice aspiring to develop to consultant level practice across nursing, midwifery and allied health professions and wider stakeholders with a touchpoint with consultant practice.
Continuing onto day 2 and 3 requires minimum prerequisites of:
- Being in an advanced practice role or equivalent
- Evidence of consolidated years of experience in a specialist area of practice
- Hold a masters degree or equivalent
- Evidence of working across the 4 pillars of advanced practice
Still have questions about applying?
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