Three-quarters of care workers want to be regulated and renamed as 'nursing assistants'

Over three-quarters of health care support workers want to be regulated and renamed as 'nursing assistants', according to a new survey.

The survey carried out by the British Journal of Health Care Assistants (BJHCA) found a total of 76 per cent want regulation and a new name while 93 per cent want a code of conduct and compulsory registration.

Ninety per cent want care staff to wear a distinctive uniform and ID badge and 67 per cent said they would pay an annual fee for registration, almost half of whom (43 per cent) said they would be prepared to pay £50 per annum (nurses currently pay £100).

The survey was carried out in response to the Francis report into Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust which found there had been appalling neglect of patients at Stafford Hospital between 2005 and 2009.

BJHCA editor, Peter Bradley, said: “The survey represents the voice of the support worker, and it is a voice that comes across loud and clear.

“It overwhelmingly backs the relevant recommendations of the Francis Report. While the Government refuses to honour one of the main Francis proposals, support workers emphatically want regulation, and are prepared to put their money where their mouth is. The BJHCA Survey indicates that far from the ignorant and uncaring image so often attributed to them, support workers are knowledgeable, engaged and caring.”

The survey also revealed that nearly half of health care assistants said ‘shortage of staff’ was the number one threat to patient care, 12 per cent said it was ‘focus on targets’ and nine per cent spoke of a ‘negative work culture’.

The health care assistant (HCA) role is defined by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2006) as: 'Those who provide a direct service – that is they have a direct influence/effect on care and treatment to patients and members of the public and are supervised by and/or undertake health care duties delegated to them by NMC registrants.'

As yet there are no specific national requirements for becoming an HCA. Some employers require literacy and numeracy skills.

Rehana Azam, national officer of the trade union GMB, said: “The survey highlights the extent to which health care assistants are involved in patient care but also reports on their experiences and highlights that some health care assistants feel they could be better supported in their working environment. The most worrying aspect of the survey highlights the real concern among HCAs that the greatest threats to the quality of patient care are staff shortages and targets.

“GMB welcomed and recognised many of the Francis Report recommendations and the need for a strong commitment from all stakeholders. GMB is pleased that Francis identified appropriate training and skills of health care assistants and this survey further reinforces the need for this to become a reality.”