Challenges for care homes: education and training of healthcare assistants

The spotlight is increasingly on all care homes, including those catering specifically for older people, to deliver on quality targets in an attempt to drive up the standards of care provision. These targets include the education, training and supervision of care staff. Representing a major componen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing) 2004-11, Vol.13 (21), p.1258-1261
Main Authors: Fitzpatrick, Joanne M, Roberts, Julia D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Education, Nursing, Continuing - organization & administration
Elderly people
Geriatric Nursing - education
Guidelines as Topic
Health care assistants
Homes for the Aged
Humans
Inservice Training - organization & administration
National standards
Needs Assessment
Nurse's Role
Nurses' Aides - education
Nursing
Nursing Care Homes
Nursing Homes
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Private Sector
Professional Competence - standards
Quality Assurance, Health Care
Quality of care
Residential homes
State Medicine
Training
United Kingdom
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Summary:The spotlight is increasingly on all care homes, including those catering specifically for older people, to deliver on quality targets in an attempt to drive up the standards of care provision. These targets include the education, training and supervision of care staff. Representing a major component of the care staff workforce in care homes are healthcare assistants and they play a key role in care provision and will continue so to do. However, pivotal to their effective role performance is preparation and support — the provision of which has been patchy to date. For care homes that provide nursing care the challenges of delivering on these targets by 2005 are significant, particularly as the majority of these homes are run as private enterprises and in the absence of any form of central funding. This article examines key issues associated with meeting national standards in the sector with specific reference to education and training provision. A strategic nationwide approach to education and training for healthcare assistants in care homes is recommended, coupled with robust evaluation of outcomes. Such initiatives will need to be supported by significant financial investment if the Government's targets are to be achieved.
ISSN:0966-0461
2052-2819
DOI:10.12968/bjon.2004.13.21.17124