Assistant radiographer practitioners: Creating capacity or challenging professional boundaries?

Highlights: • A survey of UK assistant practitioners in general radiography received 108 responses. • Assistant practitioners are contributing to imaging capacity in general radiography. • Their scope of practice demonstrates wide variation. • They are undertaking activities beyond those advocated by the professional body. • Blurring of the radiographer – assistant boundary is evident. - Abstract: IntroductionOver the last 2 decades the assistant radiographer practitioner (ARP) role has been introduced into NHS diagnostic imaging departments as a strategy to expand the workforce and create capacity. This skill mix initiative has not been implemented in a standardised way and there is limited knowledge of the current role scope within general radiography (X-Ray).