03.06.15
Head of HEE suggests new ‘nursing associate’ role
A new position of ‘nursing associate’ could be created to address the chronic shortage of nurses facing the health service, the head of Health Education England has suggested.
Speaking to the Guardian, Ian Cumming said that people in this new role would nurse patients, with an expanded skillset compared to the healthcare support worker, but working under the supervision of a registered nurse.
“The NHS is telling us that they want and need something in the middle, something between a healthcare support worker and a registered nurse,” he said.
Training for the new role would take 18-24 months, compared to three years for a nursing degree.
Unions have responded hesitantly to the idea, but have not dismissed it out of hand.
Dr Peter Carter, outgoing general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, told the Guardian the proposal was interesting. But he added: “There’s overwhelming evidence that patients have better outcomes when they are cared for by graduate nurses, and any proposals must avoid diluting the skill mix of staff, which would have an impact on patient care.”
Christina McAnea, head of health at Unison, said that the NHS should invest more in the skills of healthcare assistants and assistant practitioners who already deliver 60% of patient care.
She added that while training and development opportunities are welcome, roles with greater responsibilities would require higher pay levels.
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