Throughout the health care system, the traditional boundaries between professional groups are becoming increasingly blurred in response to local service needs and national policy objectives. New clinical roles are developing and nurses and other health professionals are finding opportunities to review and reconfigure their roles in response to changing health care needs and national policy imperatives. This book grew out of the editors involvement in the UKCCs work on the regulation of specialist, advanced and higher level practice and Department of Health research on new role developments and the impact of the `New Dealreduction in junior doctors hours. It combines a comprehensive and thought provoking overview of the key issues and emerging challenges with practical suggestions for promoting appropriate and sustainable role development.Reflects the multi-disciplinary context of role development includes examples and contributions from physiotherapists, OTs, pharmacists and doctors as well as nurses Emphasises the importance of patient-led development of rolesFocuseson the significance of education and research Puts role development within the context of health services as a wholeIncludes case studies and examples Combines policy context with practical advice on how to develop new clinical roles