Accountability, delegation and professional issues

Accountability and delegation

Health care teams include a range of registered professionals, health care assistants (HCAs), assistant practitioners (APs) and students. It is vital that each member of the team is clear about their level of accountability and that the registered staff are confident when delegating tasks to their colleagues.

The RCN has produced a film with accompanying resources addressing these important subjects, and explaining key principles around accountability and delegation. The scenarios are as relevant to nurses and HCAs as they are to students and APs.

RCN Direct online advice

The RCN's online advice service provides members with comprehensive information and advice on a whole range of issues, including legal, employment relations and nursing practice. It is also a portal to the guidance on careers and welfare and specialist best practice advice.

RCN Direct online advice allows you to access practical advice and guidance which will support you at work. You can access advice on a whole range of employment, legal and professional issues. RCN Direct online advice also has a range of self-help fact sheets including statement writing techniques and tips for coping with stress.

Please note you will need your RCN membership number to access this page.

Regulation

The RCN believes all HCAs and APs should be regulated in the interests of public safety, and is committed to supporting steps towards mandatory regulation. This has been a major policy position for the RCN for many years and campaigning for regulation continues to be a priority for the organisation going forward.

Visit our regulation pages for the various policy papers the RCN has published, setting out its position on the issue, as well as a summary of other work around regulation and a list of commonly-asked questions.

Record keeping

As a member of the wider health care team, the HCA, AP or nursing student takes personal accountability for good record keeping. They must keep clear, accurate and timely records of care they provide to their patients to support communication, continuity and decision making. This includes all forms of patient records, such as anything that is documented about a patient and his/her care and treatment.

Please see our record keeping pages for RCN guidance and principles regarding record keeping and countersigning.

Nursing practice issues

Please see our nursing practice issues page for all the latest information, guidance and resources on particular nursing practice issues that the RCN has to offer.