Health Care Support Workers to take on wider rehab role

23 May 2000

Health Care Support Workers, HCSWs, are to become more involved in patient rehabilitation thanks to a new scheme introduced by the West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust.

Through NVQ training, HCSWs will be able to develop new skills and knowledge and make a difference to the delivery of patient care by providing greater support to qualified staff.

Four HCSWs have been selected to undertake an NVQ Level 3 in Care; Sandra Ashman, Mary Nicholls, Kate Middlehurst, and Holly Cannon. Mary Nicholls was the first HCSW at the West Suffolk to gain an NVQ Level 2 in Care.

The NVQ Level 3 course includes one study day each week for 6 months at the West Suffolk College. The necessary practical skills are being acquired working in the rehabilitation areas of the hospital. The Trust's NVQ Co-ordinator Chris Fell is managing the course in the Trust and Jane Croker, a junior sister, has been seconded from her clinical role to act as an assessor for the HCSWs alongside providing a supporting role for nurses attending the 'Return to Practice' course.

Many patients require a programme of rehabilitation to ensure they are fit enough to return home and able to regain their independence and quality of life. Heavy workloads and national recruitment problems have meant that Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists find it difficult to provide patients with early rehabilitation and nursing staff are also busy and lack the necessary skills. Delays in ward based rehabilitation can extend a patient's stay in hospital putting pressure on the availability of inpatient beds.

“In the future HCSWs will help to ensure that all patients receive consistent and appropriate early rehabilitation," says Mrs Chris Fell.

"They will be able to support patients through agreed physiotherapy programmes, including help with walking aids, and assist occupational therapists in assessing a patients need for special equipment and arranging its delivery.

National recognition of the role of HCSW and a set of work standards came with the introduction of NVQ Level 2 in Care. The NVQ Level 3 Award now opens up the prospect of career progression and a means of entry into formal nurse training.

Editor's Note:

The four HCSWs along with the NVQ Co-ordinator will be in the hospital on Thursday 25 May. If you would like to talk to or take a photograph of the HCSWs please go along to Ward F3 at 2.30pm.