Health Care Assistants & Assistant Practitioners - part of the nursing team

At the RCN we are fully committed to making sure that Health Care Assistants (HCAs) and Assistant Practitioners (APs) are included as valued members of the nursing family.

Message from your HCA Adviser - Tanis Hand

Welcome to the HCA & AP section of the RCN website. Here I promise to keep you updated on what’s happening in the UK. Look in the latest updates section to find out about our visits around the country as they happen.

Last week I visited the RCN Congress site at Bournemouth. This year will be the second HCAs’ Day at Congress and I really hope you can join us! Monday 26th April will see a huge number of RCN members congregating in Bournemouth, for nearly a week of networking, debates and information sharing. The theme of this year’s Congress is “Caring Together”, and the theme of the HCAs’ day is “Who Cares Wins”. It will be a celebration of the hugely important roles that HCAs and APs play in patient care, and the title reflects the job satisfaction that keeps most HCAs and APs loving their jobs.

Our day on the Monday will be held over in the Pavilion Theatre, as will the Student Day on the Tuesday. Registration, however, will be over the road at the Bournemouth International Centre. Our conference will start at 11.30, so that you will have a chance to experience the energy and enthusiasm over in the main Congress Hall, and also to visit the Exhibition, which is open from 9.00 on Monday morning.

We will have a brilliant day! Peter Carter, RCN’s Chief Exec will be calling over to see you all, and our keynote speaker will be Tina Donelly, Director of RCN Wales who is totally passionate about HCAs and APs. Steve Jamieson, the head of the RCN’s Nursing Department will be welcoming you, and we then have an inspirational session from Billy Dixon who is guaranteed to motivate us all!

The afternoon will be interactive with a range of workshops and question and answer session, chaired by Paul Vaughan, who many of you will know.

If you can come along, the important message is book now! You can book in advance online by visiting the Congress page or visit HCAs at Congress to download a booking form and as places will be limited it is essential that you secure your place now!

The RCN will ensure your voice is heard and will work with you to ensure we address the challenges you face as you carry out your work. This part of the RCN website will enable you to provide feedback to the RCN HCA Adviser and other members of the HCA team and to access a host of resources relevant to your personal and professional development.

If you are not currently a member, find out who can join the RCN to ensure your voice is heard.

Tanis Hand, RCN HCA Adviser

Latest updates

For all the latest information and guidance on particular nursing practice issues visit nursing practice issues.

Visit the Learning Zone to view the free online resource: Health Care Assistants and Accountability, which can be found in the clinical skills section.