RCN: HCA regulation and improved training is essential for HCAs

Published: 20 February 2013

Better training and support for health care assistants (HCAs) is a hugely significant part of improving patient care, the RCN has said.

The comments come as the Department of Health announced that The Times journalist Camilla Cavendish is to review training and support for HCAs.

The RCN says her review must build on the recommendations made by the Francis inquiry, which was clear that registration must accompany improvements in training to ensure care is improved. The Francis report into failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust also stated that a voluntary system of registration would provide little or no advantage to the public.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said:

“The RCN has worked closely with organisations such as Skills for Health and Skills for Care to set out training standards that are needed; but without mandatory regulation to support this, there is a danger that those staff who are found to be unsuitable could move from one employer to another unchecked. We believe that Francis' recommendation on HCA regulation must be implemented if care is to be safe and of a consistently high standard."

The RCN is looking forward to sharing the experiences of nurse and health care assistant members with Camilla Cavendish.