Pan London Practice Assessment Document shortlisted

The London Local Education and Training Boards (LETBs) are delighted to announce that the new nursing Pan London Practice Assessment Document (PLPAD) has been shortlisted in the Partnership of the Year Category in the Student Nursing Times of the Year Awards, 2015.

Working in Partnership

The introduction of the PLPAD is a testament to the success of collaborative working across the London region and its use will not only improve the student experience, but through effective student assessment and the promotion of professional values, it will help protect and safeguard the public.

The new PLPAD was a major collaboration leading to successful validation of a common practice assessment document for London pre-registration nursing students. It was developed by the PLPAD Steering Group representing the nine Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the London Region receiving commissions for nursing education in partnership with students, practice partners, mentors, academic staff and service users.

The three London LETBs commission almost 10,000 nursing students on Pre-Registration Programmes. Each student spends 50% of their education on clinical placements developing their experiences in acute and community settings. This activity is assessed, monitored and evaluated through Practice Assessment Documents (PAD).

Practice Assessment Document Project

A Project, funded by the London LETBs, to develop a single approach to practice assessment documentation commenced in January 2013 and the documents were successfully validated and commended by the NMC in December 2013. This highly complex project involved collaboration with the nine HEIs, their 72 practice partners Trusts, three London LETBs, service user and student groups within challenging timescales. Health Education North Central and East London were the lead LETB for the project; Buckinghamshire New University held the project funds and Zoe Scullard, formerly Principal Lecturer, Practice Learning, Buckinghamshire New University chaired the Project Steering Group.

The new PLPAD is a flexible document, validated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) which regulates nurse education. The design of the document is flexible and can be used with any academic regulations and adapted for varied placement patterns. The regulator has been supportive of this change ensuring that commissioners, HEIs, placement providers and students continue to develop, deliver and receive the high quality education necessary to safeguard the public. The PLPAD creates a single document for use around London. There is significant interest in the new PLPAD from colleagues outside London and this work has been referenced in the recently published Shape of Caring Review, (Willis, 2015).

The Nursing Times host the Awards Ceremony on 7th May in London when the winners will be announced.