OU and RCN Wales join forces to support Healthcare Assistants
Published: 20 March 2009
The subjects of the voice, value and professional qualifications of Health Care Assistants were at the heart of a national conference held this week in Nantgarw.
The conference Organised by the Royal College of Nursing in Wales and the Open University, addressed key issues such as dignity and respect, advocacy and access to education, all of which are integral to the workforce development of the more than 22,000 health care assistants in Wales.
With an attendance of over 160 delegates, the conference at the ESIS Centre heard from speakers representing the OU and the RCN as well as the National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare, Cardiff & Vale NHS Trust and Health Train. Delegates came from across Wales and brought with them a cross-section of experience as well as their own perspective from their individual roles.
Tina Donnelly the Director of RCN Wales was joined at the conference by Rob Humphreys the Director of the OU in Wales. Mr Humphreys emphasised the value of education and stressed that higher education and that the OU is open to all to allow individuals to fulfil their potential.
Tina Donnelly championed the army of health care assistants in Wales a qualified healthcare support resource, vital to the Welsh health service. She added that RCN Wales is there for health care assistants right across the country.
The Open University offers more than 500 courses. To find out more, go to the Open University website and RCN members can receive a discount on their course fees.