Clinical Supervision Resources
What is Clinical Supervision?
NHS England use CQC’s (2013) practice focused definition of clinical supervision:
"An opportunity for healthcare practitioners to reflect on and review their clinical practice, discuss individual cases in depth and identify changes or modifications to practice which are required to maintain professional and public safety. It provides an opportunity to identify training and continuing development needs."
Differences between Clinical Supervisor, Educational Supervisor and Line-Management
It is important to recognise that clinical supervision is different to educational, managerial and administrative supervision in relation to an Allied Health Professional in GP Practice.
Clinical Supervisor
GP Practice Supervisor
Ensures day to day safe patient care and management of workload
Provides guidance and feedback in relation to the immediate clinical work
Provides support for work- based assessments
Provides feedback on progress
Provide support when professionals fail to progress at expected rate
Mentor
Peer support
Facilitates reflective learning through individual or group sessions
Identifies and helps action and develop personal development plans
A confidential provision except in event of serious safety issues
Wellbeing
Provides support as needed to prevent stress and burnout
Listens to problems / issues
Educational Supervisor
Ensures effective learning experience
Provides support in the initial and ongoing education plan
Reviews progress with respect to learning pathway and assessments
Line-Management
Co-ordinates workload
Ensures adequate supervision arrangements
Assists practically for example with ledgers and room allocation
Approves annual / study leave
Manages sickness
Conducts appraisals
Manages performance
Below you may will find links to resources and training, both for those already involved in clinical supervision and those developing an interest.
Training
e-Learning for Healthcare have an online learning programme titled ‘Supervision for multi-professional teams’ which is free to NHS professionals.
Future learning do a series of free online courses aimed at healthcare professionals including ‘Clinical Supervision: Planning your personal development’ and ‘Clinical Supervision with Confidence.’
If looking after clinical pharmacists in general practice it is strongly recommended that you complete the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) clinical supervisor self-assessment and training workshops.
General Resources
Templates
The following documents have been produced as examples. They may be downloaded and adapted for use in practice.
New Roles
Clinical Pharmacists
Clinical supervisors for the ‘Primary care pharmacy education pathway’ is for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians employed as part of the NHS England primary care Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES) additional roles reimbursement scheme.
A Brief Guide to Improving Prescribing Competences for Structured Medication Reviews – guide for pharmacists who are already an independent prescriber and their supervisors
Physician Associates (PAs)
GP Supervisor and Physician Associate Guide - A step by step handbook for the first year in general practice
Clinical Supervision Bulletins
Multi-Professional Support Unit
The Multi-Professional Support Unit (MPSU) delivers education activity which supports the professional development of our increasing and diverse primary care workforce. Part of the MPSU’s core function is to provide: