Healthcare assistants overworks and undertrained

Healthcare assistants working untrained without supervision are, "putting patients at risk."

12:30 23 March 2015

Due to a, "woeful lack of staff,"  according to  the Royal College of Nursing, Healthcare assistants have, at times, been left without supervision, on wards with up to 40 patients.  This is despite NICE -National Institute of Care and Excellence - guidelines, stating that Healthcare assistants must work under the supervision of a professional.  IVs have been inserted and blood taken by junior staff.

 

An investigation by the BBC found that often, Healthcare assistants are expected to carry out roles which belong to nurses or doctors. 

 

Jeremy Hunt says that a record number of assistants are currently being recruited.

 

One assistant, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims that she has assisted in surgery, untrained and due to lack of knowledge, had touched a surgeon's glove, causing him to have to "rescrub."  The HCA said there was no time for training and s/he was often asked to conduct tasks above their level.e.g. lifting patients without enough assistance, or without lifting training.

 

The BBC's source also reported that incorrect medication has also been given to patients.

 

The HCAs have a wide range of roles, dependent on their seniority.  For instance, junior staff are required to e.g. wash, dress and feed patients, whereas more senior staff may take blood samples or care for wounds.

 

"It is not always clear," what skills the HCAs have. This is according to Catherine Foot, assistant director of policy, at The King's Fund health charity.

 

A new care certificate is due to be introduced in April, which will create a minimum level of training and this should make things clearer.

 

The Cavendish Review (2013) which occurred in the wake of the Francis enquiry, looked at the unregistered workforce.  It found that the training for Healthcare assistants was "neither, sufficiently consistent or sufficiently supervised."

 

The Department of Health said that it is never acceptable for staff to carry out tasks for which they have not received training.

 

A spokesperson said that the Government supports any staff who will voice concerns over patient safety.