Background: Advanced Practice is a distinct level of practice utilised in multiprofessional roles including nurses and AHPs. Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) are employed across various specialities within healthcare, forming an integral part of the local workforce. Advanced practice is underpinned by the 4 pillars of clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research. Frameworks exist to provide clear understanding of the capabilities; however, the understanding of the role is inconsistent. Project design: A service evaluation was conducted using a quantitative crosssectional survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings: Findings provided an understanding of the ACP role in relation to the 4 pillars of practice. Key interpretations indicate varying levels of understanding of the ACP role. Some practitioners self-identify as ACPs yet do not demonstrate working at this level whereas others can demonstrate working at this level, but do not have appropriate job titles to reflect this, implying a mismatch between the understanding of the role and employment expectations. While individual experiences identified support from clinical teams, there were shortfalls in support from the organisation and gaps in governance procedures. Conclusion: This evaluation has explored how ACPs understand their role in relation to the 4 pillars. Variation exists in how this is understood with differing levels of interpretation and evidencing of capabilities across the pillars. Findings suggests there a lack of governance, policy and supervision to support roles, and poor understanding advanced practice across healthcare settings. Understanding of the pillars needs improving and prioritisation of governance, supervision and leadership is vital to inform workforce development, policy and optimisation of advanced practice roles.
An evaluation of the Advanced Clinical Practitioner role in Jersey: a cross- sectional survey
Background: Advanced Practice is a distinct level of practice utilised in multiprofessional roles including nurses and AHPs. Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) are employed across various specialities within healthcare, forming an integral part of the local workforce. Advanced practice is underpinned by the 4 pillars of clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research. Frameworks exist to provide clear understanding of the capabilities; however, the understanding of the role is inconsistent. Project design: A service evaluation was conducted using a quantitative crosssectional survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings: Findings provided an understanding of the ACP role in relation to the 4 pillars of practice. Key interpretations indicate varying levels of understanding of the ACP role. Some practitioners self-identify as ACPs yet do not demonstrate working at this level whereas others can demonstrate working at this level, but do not have appropriate job titles to reflect this, implying a mismatch between the understanding of the role and employment expectations. While individual experiences identified support from clinical teams, there were shortfalls in support from the organisation and gaps in governance procedures. Conclusion: This evaluation has explored how ACPs understand their role in relation to the 4 pillars. Variation exists in how this is understood with differing levels of interpretation and evidencing of capabilities across the pillars. Findings suggests there a lack of governance, policy and supervision to support roles, and poor understanding advanced practice across healthcare settings. Understanding of the pillars needs improving and prioritisation of governance, supervision and leadership is vital to inform workforce development, policy and optimisation of advanced practice roles.
A systematic review of the effect of music therapy on agitation in people with dementia in long-term care settings
Background: Around 57 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with dementia, and its prevalence is steadily increasing as the population ages (World Health Organization, 2025). Evidence suggests that in individuals with dementia, listening to music may
trigger positive memories (Zhang et al., 2025). This can contribute to improved engagement and reduction in agitation, which is a frequent and challenging behavioural disturbance for residents in long-term care settings. Aim: To systematically review evidence
on the effect of music therapy on agitation in people with dementia in long-term care settings. Research Design: A systematic review of four databases via EBSCOhost was conducted to identify, appraise and synthesise relevant evidence. Included studies were randomised rials involving people with dementia in long-term care that used music therapy or music-based interventions, with all five included being music-based interventions rather than clinical music therapy, and measured agitation with validated or standardised tools. Five studies met criteria and were included in a narrative synthesis due to variation in intervention type and delivery. Results: The findings regarding efficacy for agitation were mixed. Some studies reported improvements, particularly with personalised or individualised interventions, with greater effects for verbal than physical agitation. Other studies found no statistically significant improvement, suggesting music-based interventions are not universally effective and outcomes may be influenced by delivery and implementation. Conclusion: Music therapy, when understood broadly to include music-based interventions, may be a promising low-risk and person-centred approach for supporting some people with dementia experiencing agitation, but it should not be viewed as a universally effective intervention. In practice, such approaches should be personalised, integrated into individualised care plans, and used alongside clinical assessment. Further research is needed to identify which residents benefit most, which forms of agitation respond best, and how these interventions can be delivered consistently in long-term care settings.
A systematic review of the effect of music therapy on agitation in people with dementia in long-term care settings
Background: Around 57 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with dementia, and its prevalence is steadily increasing as the population ages (World Health Organization, 2025). Evidence suggests that in individuals with dementia, listening to music may
trigger positive memories (Zhang et al., 2025). This can contribute to improved engagement and reduction in agitation, which is a frequent and challenging behavioural disturbance for residents in long-term care settings. Aim: To systematically review evidence
on the effect of music therapy on agitation in people with dementia in long-term care settings. Research Design: A systematic review of four databases via EBSCOhost was conducted to identify, appraise and synthesise relevant evidence. Included studies were randomised rials involving people with dementia in long-term care that used music therapy or music-based interventions, with all five included being music-based interventions rather than clinical music therapy, and measured agitation with validated or standardised tools. Five studies met criteria and were included in a narrative synthesis due to variation in intervention type and delivery. Results: The findings regarding efficacy for agitation were mixed. Some studies reported improvements, particularly with personalised or individualised interventions, with greater effects for verbal than physical agitation. Other studies found no statistically significant improvement, suggesting music-based interventions are not universally effective and outcomes may be influenced by delivery and implementation. Conclusion: Music therapy, when understood broadly to include music-based interventions, may be a promising low-risk and person-centred approach for supporting some people with dementia experiencing agitation, but it should not be viewed as a universally effective intervention. In practice, such approaches should be personalised, integrated into individualised care plans, and used alongside clinical assessment. Further research is needed to identify which residents benefit most, which forms of agitation respond best, and how these interventions can be delivered consistently in long-term care settings.
From Policy to Practice: A Retrospective Audit Evaluating Compliance with Duty of Candour in Health and Care Jersey.
Background: Duty of Candour (DoC) is a professional, ethical, and legal requirement in healthcare, mandating transparency, openness, and honesty when patients come to harm. Although statutory frameworks exist in parts of the UK, Jersey lacks local legislation, relying on organisational policy or professional codes, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Medical Council and Health and Care Professions Council. Despite the significance of DoC, studies indicate inconsistent understanding, interpretation, and application among healthcare professionals. Project design: A retrospective descriptive design was used for the clinical audit. Focusing on patient safety incidents that had been investigated as serious incidents, the audit measured compliance with DoC against the local policy. Key elements such as the provision of an apology, delivery of a formal letter, documentation, and timeliness of communication with patients and families were explored. Findings: Findings from the thirty-two cases illustrated 78% of patients and families were informed of the safety event as soon as possible, 50% were offered an apology and 34% of patients and families receiving reassurance that lessons would be learned. 72% of patients had no initial communication or apology documented in their records with less than 10% of patient’s ort their families receiving a formal letter of apology from the organisation. Conclusion: Despite having an organisational policy, challenges remain in fidelity of application. Improved training, clearer protocols, and improvements to policy are required to promote a culture of transparency. This study offers recommendations to improve consistency with the application of DoC which include to revision of the DoC policy, introduction of a standardised letter template and the delivery of multidisciplinary staff training
An Exploration of Psychological, Environmental and Social Factors of Smoking Behaviours in UCJ students, Despite the Awareness of Associated Health Risks
Research indicates that while the rate of smoking among young adults has decreased over the years, it still remains a significant concern (Public Health England, 2020). Despite the efforts of public health campaigns to educate young people about the dangers of smoking, many university students still choose to smoke. A recent study estimates that over 127.000 young adults (18-25) in the UK start smoking regularly each year (Cancer Research UK, 2024). Despite the well- known health risks and the decrease in smoking-related advertisements, many young people continue to engage in smoking. Understanding the factors is essential for designing effective intervention strategies for students at University College Jersey (UCJ). The aim of the research was to investigate the factors influencing university students at UCJ to engage in smoking, despite widespread awareness of its health risks. This study will seek to understand the underlying psychological motivations, social influences and environmental factors that contribute smoking behaviours. A mixed methods design using a survey and qualitative interviews was used to answer the research question. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data and thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. The key findings were psychological and emotional drivers, social influences, cultural and environmental norms, health and fitness and sense of control. From this research, recommendations include addressing student stress coping mechanisms and revisiting policy in relation to smoking on campus.