the role of non-professional staff in health adviser/gum practice – finding the right recipe paul...
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The role of non-professional staff inhealth adviser/GUM practice –
finding the right recipe
Paul DriscollSSHA conference – 09/09
Who am I?
• Past – HIV nurse specialist, Lead Health Advisor @ Addenbrookes NHS
Trust in Cambridge
• Now - Lecturer in the school of Health and Human Sciences @ the University
of Suffolk, still clinically active
What a question to ask a new lecturer…
‘Would you like to be involved in a new project
involving Skills for Health?’
‘200,000 NHS nurses are about to walk out the door’
‘Hospitals creaking under the strain as NHS vacancies are left unfilled’
Degree only professions
• NHS budgets cut by 10% in next financial year?
• Funding for health and social care courses @ HEIs across the country being
reduced
• Finite NHS resources are starting to bite
• Privatisation
• Without question
Potential…. Vacancy freezes
Increased difficulty finding staff with appropriate experience to train
Reduction of HA services Erosion of the HA role
Greater threat in non-central/rural centres??
The Solution?
Make ourselves more efficient• Review work loads
• Review working structures• Can technology be used to allow more effectively• Can non-professional staff be used to complete
some of the tasks traditionally carried out by a HA?
The Solution?
How many of you have non-professional members of staff carrying out elements of HA
work?
The Solution?• The Associate Practitioner
- band 4
- being developed at a national level and in a Trust near you
- enhanced health care assistant role
- significant applications within GUM ??HA practice??
- FdA supported
The Solution?
What is an Foundation Degree?•A nationally recognised qualification
•240 academic credits (– can be topped up to full BA, 360 credits)
•Students enter the course at academic level 4
•A qualification the facilitates widening participation in HE
•It presents a ideal opportunity for work force development
Health Care Practice FdA – Sexual Health pathway
• Designed for non-professionals working in an appropriate health care setting
• Fully funded by local Strategic Health Authority
• Cohort in place to commence course in Febuary 2010
In conclusion…
• Am I proposing that we dilute the important work
that Health Advisors carry out….? NO
In conclusion
• Am I proposing that as a professional group we
demonstrate an increased level of awareness towards
the threats to our practice….absolutely.