HCPC Interprofessional Working in NHS 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'interprofessional education' (IPE) and why is it valued in NHS workforce development?
- Learning together with professionals from different disciplines to improve collaborative practice and patient care outcomes (Correct answer)
- Training delivered separately to each profession
- Academic lectures given to nursing students only
- CPD undertaken in a single professional silo
Correct answer: Learning together with professionals from different disciplines to improve collaborative practice and patient care outcomes
IPE (as defined by CAIPE) occurs when professionals from two or more disciplines learn with, from, and about each other to improve collaboration and quality of care. It reduces tribalism and improves team function.
Question 2: Which NHS framework defines the vision for integrated, team-based care across primary, community, and hospital settings?
- NHS Long Term Plan and Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) frameworks (Correct answer)
- The NHS Constitution only
- The Darzi Report 1998
- The Griffiths Report 1983
Correct answer: NHS Long Term Plan and Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) frameworks
The NHS Long Term Plan (2019) and ICS frameworks (formalised through the Health and Care Act 2022) outline the vision for integrated care, multi-professional teams, and system-wide collaboration to improve population health.
Question 3: What is a 'Primary Care Network' (PCN) in the context of interprofessional working?
- A group of GP practices working together with community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, and other services to serve their local population (Correct answer)
- A specialist hospital referral network
- A network of private GPs
- A digital health platform for primary care
Correct answer: A group of GP practices working together with community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, and other services to serve their local population
PCNs (introduced through the NHS Long Term Plan) bring together practices and wider community teams — including pharmacists, paramedics, physiotherapists, and social workers — to provide integrated care to a defined population.
Question 4: What is 'role extension' in the context of allied health professionals in the NHS?
- Expanding the scope of practice of AHPs to take on tasks traditionally performed by doctors or other senior clinicians, with appropriate training (Correct answer)
- Extending contracted working hours
- Working in more than one NHS trust simultaneously
- Adding administrative duties to clinical roles
Correct answer: Expanding the scope of practice of AHPs to take on tasks traditionally performed by doctors or other senior clinicians, with appropriate training
Role extension allows AHPs (e.g., physiotherapists with prescribing rights, advanced paramedics, pharmacist independent prescribers) to expand their practice into areas previously restricted to other professions, improving care access.
Question 5: What is a 'multidisciplinary team meeting' (MDT meeting) and what is its purpose?
- A structured meeting of professionals from different disciplines to discuss and plan care for complex patients, improving communication and coordinating a holistic plan (Correct answer)
- A meeting of clinical directors only
- An administrative meeting to discuss staffing rotas
- A meeting held only when a patient makes a complaint
Correct answer: A structured meeting of professionals from different disciplines to discuss and plan care for complex patients, improving communication and coordinating a holistic plan
MDT meetings bring together relevant professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers) to discuss complex cases, share expertise, and agree coordinated care plans, reducing fragmented unilateral decisions.
Question 6: How does HCPC expect registrants to work with colleagues from other professions?
- Respectfully, collaboratively, sharing relevant information appropriately, and valuing the contribution of each profession to patient care (Correct answer)
- With professional deference to medical staff at all times
- Competitively, prioritising their own profession's contribution
- Without sharing clinical information to protect professional boundaries
Correct answer: Respectfully, collaboratively, sharing relevant information appropriately, and valuing the contribution of each profession to patient care
HCPC standards require registrants to work effectively in teams, respect the roles and expertise of other professionals, communicate appropriately, and share information in the patient's interest.
HCPC Interprofessional Working in NHS 1
What is 'interprofessional education' (IPE) and why is it valued in NHS workforce development?