Regulation of HCAs

How do you feel about this issue? See below for some resources on this topic to help you decide.

RCN position and information.

Should health care support workers be regulated?
A two page summary from the Kings Fund
Read the full report Moving forward with healthcare support workforce regulation.pdf

Journal articles

Regulating the workforce. Hughes, R. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 5. 4 (April 2011): 198-199.
Abstract: Principles of the government's command paper, 'Enabling excellence' (2011) concerning the reformation of workforce regulation. Cost factors and the proposal of voluntary regulation for unregulated staff including healthcare assistants and assistant practitioners are described.

On why it is time for us to extend the nursing family. Carter, P. Nursing Times 105. 8 (March 3, 2009): 33.
Abstract: Comments on the role of health care assistants, arguing that they want and need regulation and that this should be the responsibility of the nursing regulatory body.

Regulation: why it should be introduced. Hopkins, S. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 2. 4 (April 2008): 182-184.
Abstract: First in a series concerning the proposed regulation of health care support workers. The importance of regulation, who would be regulated and which body would carry it out are discussed and the education standards, code of conduct, career progression and cost which would be required are described.

Regulation: why it should not be introduced. Young, L. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 2. 5 (May 2008): 243-244.
Abstract: Second article discussing the proposed introduction of regulation for health care assistants. The value of regulation to protect the public from poor performance or criminal intent by health professionals is questioned and the need for health care assistants to be supervised by registered nurses is asserted.