16/11/2011
New Training Standards For Healthcare Workers
Measures to standardise the training of healthcare assistants have been unveiled by the Health Secretaryon Wednesday.
Speaking at the NHS Employers conference in Liverpool, Andrew Lansley set out plans to develop a code of conduct and minimum training standards for healthcare support workers and adult social care workers in England.
The project will be undertaken by Skills for Health and Skills for Care – in partnership with unions, employers, regulators, educators and others - to focus on areas like communication, confidentiality, nutrition and hydration, and basic observations.
The plan is hoped to help nurses know which tasks they can delegate and which they shouldn’t. And it will bring clarity to the training assistants need where they deliver more advanced tasks.
Gail Adams, Unison's Head of Nursing, said: “This new right to training and support for healthcare assistants is a welcome step in the right direction - for staff and for patients.
"Healthcare assistants are the backbone of our NHS – they work hard to deliver much of the direct, personal, and intimate bedside care that used to be delivered by nurses. But their access and right to training and development can be patchy, and their job roles and responsibilities can be unclear.
"Bringing some consistency will help support the entire health team to give patients the best possible care. We should now take advantage of the great practice out there to get things moving.”
Skills for Health and Skills for Care will present their recommendations to the department by September next year. The findings will be used during 2013 to establish a voluntary register for healthcare support workers and adult social care workers in England as part of its standards for inclusion on a register.
Andrew Lansley said: “Every day in England, hundreds of thousands of healthcare assistants aim to give the very highest quality of care to patients. The job they do can be rewarding but it can often be demanding too. It is essential they are supported to deliver the best care possible.
"These measures will help employers to better consider the skills profile of potential employees and ensure that patients and service users get the care and support they need."
(DW)
Speaking at the NHS Employers conference in Liverpool, Andrew Lansley set out plans to develop a code of conduct and minimum training standards for healthcare support workers and adult social care workers in England.
The project will be undertaken by Skills for Health and Skills for Care – in partnership with unions, employers, regulators, educators and others - to focus on areas like communication, confidentiality, nutrition and hydration, and basic observations.
The plan is hoped to help nurses know which tasks they can delegate and which they shouldn’t. And it will bring clarity to the training assistants need where they deliver more advanced tasks.
Gail Adams, Unison's Head of Nursing, said: “This new right to training and support for healthcare assistants is a welcome step in the right direction - for staff and for patients.
"Healthcare assistants are the backbone of our NHS – they work hard to deliver much of the direct, personal, and intimate bedside care that used to be delivered by nurses. But their access and right to training and development can be patchy, and their job roles and responsibilities can be unclear.
"Bringing some consistency will help support the entire health team to give patients the best possible care. We should now take advantage of the great practice out there to get things moving.”
Skills for Health and Skills for Care will present their recommendations to the department by September next year. The findings will be used during 2013 to establish a voluntary register for healthcare support workers and adult social care workers in England as part of its standards for inclusion on a register.
Andrew Lansley said: “Every day in England, hundreds of thousands of healthcare assistants aim to give the very highest quality of care to patients. The job they do can be rewarding but it can often be demanding too. It is essential they are supported to deliver the best care possible.
"These measures will help employers to better consider the skills profile of potential employees and ensure that patients and service users get the care and support they need."
(DW)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 July 2006
Patients 'suffering abuse', report claims
A report into the treatment and care of people with learning disabilities has uncovered widespread abuse of patients. The report, by the Healthcare Commission and Commission for Social Care Inspection, said that there was "serious concerns" over the care of patients.
Patients 'suffering abuse', report claims
A report into the treatment and care of people with learning disabilities has uncovered widespread abuse of patients. The report, by the Healthcare Commission and Commission for Social Care Inspection, said that there was "serious concerns" over the care of patients.
22 June 2006
Tighter tests on GPs' two-day target
GP practices will face tougher tests on GP appointment times as part of a drive to ensure all NHS patients can see a family doctor within two days. Under the plans, announced by Health Minister Lord Warner, Primary Care Trusts (PCT) will telephone surgeries on a random day every month to ensure that the two-day access target is being met.
Tighter tests on GPs' two-day target
GP practices will face tougher tests on GP appointment times as part of a drive to ensure all NHS patients can see a family doctor within two days. Under the plans, announced by Health Minister Lord Warner, Primary Care Trusts (PCT) will telephone surgeries on a random day every month to ensure that the two-day access target is being met.
27 November 2007
'Huge Inequalities' In Alzheimer's Care
There are "huge inequalities" in standards of residential care for people suffering from dementia, a new report from the Alzheimer's Society has claimed. The charity's 'Home From Home' report surveyed more than 3,500 people, including relatives of people with dementia, care home staff and managers.
'Huge Inequalities' In Alzheimer's Care
There are "huge inequalities" in standards of residential care for people suffering from dementia, a new report from the Alzheimer's Society has claimed. The charity's 'Home From Home' report surveyed more than 3,500 people, including relatives of people with dementia, care home staff and managers.
30 May 2006
Guidance for care homes launched
A new guide has been published for care home managers, in order to help improve treatment and support for residents at the end of life.
Guidance for care homes launched
A new guide has been published for care home managers, in order to help improve treatment and support for residents at the end of life.
31 March 2010
Labour Launches Free Elderly Care
Labour had unveiled plans for a radical shake-up to NHS care for the old and disabled. Health Secretary Andy Burnham laid out plans that would see a universal free care package for everyone in England. It had been described as the biggest change to the welfare state since the creation of the NHS.
Labour Launches Free Elderly Care
Labour had unveiled plans for a radical shake-up to NHS care for the old and disabled. Health Secretary Andy Burnham laid out plans that would see a universal free care package for everyone in England. It had been described as the biggest change to the welfare state since the creation of the NHS.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.