MEETING DATE:
11 May 2011
ITEM NO.
11/28d
MRC
TITLE OF PAPER:
Health Care Assistants Activity – Report for MRC May
2011
PRESENTED BY
To Note
Health Care Assistants Activity
REPORT FOR MRC: May 2011
1
Purpose
To update the Membership, Representation and Diversity Committee on the
current activity of the Health Care Assistant Team and HCA/AP Committee.
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Background
This paper describes the work relating to HCAs and APs since February 2011.
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Detail
3.1
Recruitment and retention of HCAs and APs
The HCA Adviser has met with the Head of Communications to discuss the issues around
the language used both internally and externally, and means of communicating with HCSW
members.
At Congress a survey was performed to discover the best means of communicating with our
membership group. The results will follow in the next MRC report.
Membership numbers to date are 9,004.
3.2
Resources for HCAs and APs
The new resources on Accountability and Delegation have been produced and uptake has
been very strong. A new leaflet “Step by Step will be available shortly, and a range of
marketing materials including posters and pocket cards were produced for Congress and are
available through RCND. The one stop shop on the intranet is updated by Louise Wornham
(Marketing lead for HCAs) so that staff have access to the resources and a range of
presentations relevant for HCA recruitment.
3.3
RCN Congress 2011
Over 210 HCAs & APs registered for HCAs day at Congress this year and over 260 HCAs
attended the first three days. The theme for HCAs’ day was “The Congress experience” and
this was a huge success. The HCAs attended the main hall for Peter Carter’s keynote
speech, and both Andrea and Tracey spoke to the HCAs, really reinforcing the message that
HCAs are a vital part of the RCN and valued members. Their visits were very well received
and we have now set the scene for further integration at Congress next year.
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Dame Betty Kershaw also launched the Kershaw family bursary for HCAs and APs at
Congress. The HSA charitable fund continues for HCAs who are working towards an NVQ or
SVQ at levels 2, 3 or 4.
The HCA Committee played a huge part in planning the day and ensuring its success, and
will be meeting in June to evaluate 2011’s Congress and start planning for 2012.
3.4
HCA / AP Network
The HCA Adviser has held one teleconference with the HCA leads in each region / country
which proved a useful way of sharing ideas as the regions/countries are now starting to
engage with their networks. It was agreed that these will take place quarterly in future.
The HCAs and APs which represent their networks on the HCA/AP Committee have now all
met with their HCA leads (staff members) and a series of network launches are going on
across the UK at regional events.
3.5
Apprentices
The apprentice agenda continues as funding has been secured for this. The HCA Adviser
now attends the National Apprentice sub group with colleagues from Employment Relations.
3.6
Role definition
The HCA Adviser attended NPPC in February and it was agreed to move forward (with
caution until the vote at AGM) on a briefing paper outlining the similarities and differences
between the roles of registered nurses, HCAs and APs. A small task and finish group has
been formed and will progress with this work.
3. 7
Regulation of Health Care Support Workers
In February 2011 the DH announced that the government favours a system of voluntary
registration for support workers and other unregulated staff groups. The RCN continues to
press for statutory regulation of HCSWs that work with registered nurses in the interests of
safe and effective patient care.
3.8
Medicines Management in Care Homes
The HCA Adviser has joined the clinical reference group of work being undertaken by the
joint Colleges RCP, RCGP and RCPsych, commissioned by DH. The next stage of the
project was launched in March and the HCA Adviser is now part of a group looking at
recommendations for standards of medication training for unregistered staff.
The work is ongoing and the next meeting of the main group is in May.
3.9
HCAs and governance
The vote to enable HCAs and APs to access full membership of the RCN will be held at the
AGM in October. The HCA team is seeking HCAs or APs to sit on Forums Governance
Group and Trade Union Governance Group.
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3.10
HCA Toolkit
The HCA Adviser has proposed that the RCN develop an “information portal” to replace the
HCA toolkit. Following an exploratory meeting, the project plan is being developed and
relevant bids will be made before this large project commences.
3.11
HCA/AP Discussion Zone
It has been suggested that a stand alone discussion zone for HCAs and APs may encourage
them to make use of this type of facility and enhance the networking opportunities available
to this group. The PID has gone to Information Strategy group and will now be taken to ET
for further discussion.
4.
UK Wide/Four Country Perspective
All HCA Team activity is inclusive of four-country issues
The HCA Network and project group will have four-country membership to ensure that the
HCA/AP voice is heard across the four countries.
5.
Strategic Plan 2008 – 2013
The HCA strategy meets the following strategic goals:
1.0 Build a membership organisation which values both the professional and trades union
functions, and whose power is enhanced by their working together
4.0 Embrace the wider nursing family, furthering strategic activities in our membership makeup, our networks, and with employer organisations
6.
Recommendations
The Membership and Representation Committee are asked to note this report and to
consider means of ensuring that HCAs and APs are included within the language used
by the organisation and members in all communications.
Originators: Tanis Hand HCA Adviser
Date: May 2011
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