10.08.12
Healthcare support workers code of conduct proposed
Skills for Care and Skills for Health are calling for medical professionals and patients to take part in a consultation on a proposed code of conduct and minimum training standards for healthcare support workers.
Commissioned by the Department for Health, the code of conduct may be used by bodies wishing to establish a voluntary register for healthcare support workers as part of their standards for inclusion on a register.
Medical professionals are urging their peers to contribute to the consultation.
Professor Tricia Hart, deputy CEO /director of nursing and patient safety at South Tees Hospitals NHS FT, said: “Healthcare support workers currently provide an ever increasing role in the fundamental aspects of care delivery.
“It is therefore imperative that there is a consistent approach to the achievement of competences, the development of skills and an agreed Code of Conduct that underpins the provision of a high standard of practice and delivery of compassionate care at all times.”
Martin Green, chief executive of English Community Care Association (ECCA) and chair of Care Providers Alliance, said: “The social care workforce needs more recognition and the development of minimum training standards and a code of conduct is an essential building block for improving the professional status of social care workers.”
The consultation is at: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/about-us/consultations/minimum-standards-consultation
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