New Nursing Associate role to improve care across Coventry and Warwickshire
A new role is helping to improve care provided to patients by bridging the gap between Support Workers and Registered Nurses.
Known as Nursing Associates, the healthcare staff will support nurses by undertaking a wide range of tasks that will result in better care for patients. This will include administering medication, taking observations and assessing patients so the most effective treatment can quickly commence.
To ensure Nursing Associates have the knowledge and skills to provide high quality care they will complete a two year course. Theoretical study at Coventry University is supported by hands on experience through placements in hospitals and community healthcare settings. Working with children and young people, mental health patients, learning disabilities and adult services equips the Nursing Associates with a multitude of skills that will make them a vital addition to the NHS workforce. This wide range of experience is possible due to local health and care providers collaborating as the Coventry and Warwickshire Student Nursing Associate Partnership (CWSNAP). The partnership is made up of South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT), University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, George Elliot Hospital NHS Trust, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust and Coventry and Rugby GP Alliance.
An event was held to celebrate the first cohort of local Nursing Associates being officially registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the professions’ UK regulator. This registration means Nursing Associates are required to meet a set of standards designed to ensure they are capable of delivering high quality care. Taking place at The Lomas Suite, Stratford Hospital, the event was attended by representatives from CWSNAP organisations and Assistant Director of Strategy at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Emma Westcott.
SWFT Director of Nursing Fiona Burton said: “We’re delighted to see our first Nursing Associates become registered with the NMC. They have built on their experience as Clinical Support Workers with the quality education and experience offered by the course. This results in a committed and competent set of staff who can then develop further to become registered nurses if they wish.
Speaking about the care he had received from Nursing Associate Bethany Ryland, Colin Hogg, a patient on Warwick Hospital’s Mary Ward said: “The care I received in the past and at this moment has reassured me that the staff and all concerned with my recovery are both professional in their knowledge and fully conversant with what it takes to be caring for patients.”
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