Overview

This Specialist Practice Qualification (SPQ) module equips healthcare professionals with the advanced knowledge, critical insight, professional attributes, and leadership qualities required to deliver safe, inclusive, and person centred care required to thrive in community-based and primary care settings. Designed for those seeking career progression, this module will critically evaluate and reconstruct the theoretical foundations and organisational structures of general practice nursing, addressing contemporary challenges and informing future practice.

Central to the module is the integration of the patient perspective, recognising individuals as active partners in their care. Learners will explore how cultural competence, digital fluency, and inclusive communication strategies can enhance engagement, trust, and health outcomes across diverse populations.

Through the synthesis of complex knowledge and autonomous practice, students will develop the capacity to respond to patients’ evolving needs with empathy, innovation, and leadership. Legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities will be critically examined, with a focus on how these shape the nurse-patient relationship and influence decision-making in community health contexts.

Effective Communication Cultural Sensitivity Addressing Health Disparities Promoting Inclusivity Adapting to Local Needs Role of the Specialist Practice Integrated healthcare delivery Leadership in General Practice

Assessment Strategy

Assessment Grading Criteria The following grading thresholds outline the expectations for academic performance and professional capability in relation to the role of the Specialist Practitioner. These criteria are aligned with the module learning outcomes, the standards set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and the academic regulations of the University, which expect students to demonstrate progression in critical thinking, academic integrity, and reflective, evidence-informed practice. Assessment outcomes are benchmarked against university-wide marking criteria to ensure consistency, fairness, and academic rigour.

Excellent Pass (A-) An excellent pass is awarded for work that achieves an average grade of A- or above. This level of achievement demonstrates: Outstanding academic quality, including clarity, coherence, and depth of analysis. A comprehensive and critical understanding of the specialist practitioner role. Strong alignment with all module learning outcomes, supported by reflective, evidence-based practice. Work that is well-structured, logically reasoned, and underpinned by independent thought and scholarship.

Good Pass (B-) To achieve a good pass, students must attain an average grade of B-, indicating: A consistent and competent level of academic performance. A sound understanding of core concepts, frameworks, and practices relevant to specialist practice. Evidence of critical analysis and the ability to integrate theory with practical experience. Logical structure, academic clarity, and effective use of evidence to support argumentation. At this level, students demonstrate the university’s expectations for critical engagement, reflective capacity, and academic presentation in postgraduate work.

Threshold (Pass – C-) To achieve a pass, students must attain a minimum grade of C-. This grade demonstrates that the student has: Met the essential module requirements. Shown a basic understanding of the specialist practitioner role. Engaged with the learning outcomes at a foundational level, with limited but appropriate application of relevant knowledge to practice. This level of work is expected to meet university expectations for Level 7 study in terms of academic integrity, presentation, and adherence to academic conventions (e.g., referencing, structure).

This reflects the university’s highest expectations for postgraduate academic achievement, including intellectual originality, advanced critical thinking, and clear synthesis of knowledge into professional practice.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically evaluate the evolving role and organisational context of the general practice nurse, integrating patient perspectives to inform advanced, responsive care.

• Critically evaluate, the legal, ethical, and professional frameworks to support safe, person-centred decision -making in general practice settings.

• Critically explore autonomy and leadership in delivering inclusive, digitally-enabled care, integrating advanced clinical knowledge and cultural competence.

• Reflect critically on national health priorities and digital innovations to enhance equitable care and improve patient experiences across diverse populations.