New research evaluating the role of healthcare assistants in hospitals publishes
Healthcare assistants (HCAs) are a key group of workers within the NHS which is often under-utilised finds a new report published by the NIHR SDO programme.
A team of researchers, led by Dr Ian Kessler of the University of Oxford, have assessed the use and consequences of support worker roles in hospitals from the perspective of different stakeholders. They looked at whether these roles vary between and within hospitals, between different departments, and by different supporting roles.
The three year study explored the personal characteristics and backgrounds of healthcare assistants and their workplace activities, the shape and nature of support roles.
The report highlights the benefits to trusts of managing the healthcare assistant, balancing workforce flexibility with standards of care quality, and the importance of clearly communicating tasks. It concluded that there are imprecise definitions of the role of the healthcare assistant within and between healthcare trusts. There are challenges faced in managing risks, developing skills and careers and misalignment between pay, tasks and qualifications. Most importantly it shows the distinctive contribution made by the healthcare assistants to patient care.
Dr Kessler commented,”The report highlights key issues such as regulation, training and strategic management of the role, which we believe will bring significant benefits to all parties if appropriately addressed. We encourage policy makers and individual trusts to consider the findings of the report carefully.”
To view the full report click here.
