Survey results back RCN’s call for HCSW registration

Published: 11 April 2013

The Royal College of Nursing has welcomed the publication of a new survey in which the overwhelming majority of respondents agreed there should be a code of conduct and compulsory registration for health care support workers.

The survey, carried out by the British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, highlighted that more than nine in 10 health care support workers support compulsory registration.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said this is a crucial recommendation from the recent Francis inquiry, and something the RCN has long been calling for.

“It is clear that health care assistants themselves take delivering safe care to patients very seriously, and more than two thirds would be prepared to pay an annual registration fee,” he said.

The RCN is deeply concerned that registration has been dismissed in the Government’s response to the Francis inquiry, and has called for it to be a priority to ensure the highest standards of patient care.