Keeping Patients Safe providing the tools for Healthcare

Keeping Patients Safe providing the tools for Healthcare Support Workers A National overview

CEL 23 (2010) Healthcare Support Workers – Mandatory Induction Standards and Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Mandatory Code of Practice for Employers of Healthcare Support Workers A Direction from Scottish Ministers Issued 15 th June 2010 (equivalent to secondary legislation)

Overview of Standards & Codes • Primary Focus: Promotion of Patient Safety and Public Protection • Applies to all Agenda for Change Bands 1 -9 who meet definition • Promoting, supporting and valuing Healthcare Support Worker contributions and careers • Promoting integrated team working, and team focused learning and development • Strengthens robust employment practice.

Who is a Healthcare Support Worker? Applies to employees who are not statutorily regulated and who are defined as a Healthcare Support Worker in CEL 23 as those who; • Provide direct or indirect clinical care under direction of a registered healthcare practitioner • Provide a direct service to patients • Provide an in-direct service to patients • Work with patient identifiable data/information • Having responsibility for maintaining premises or equipment used by patients • Involved in preparation of goods and services for patients and service users

Overview of Standards & Codes Induction Standards: 14 Standard Statements apply Mandatory for all new starts to NHSS from 31 st December 2010 Code of Conduct: Applies to all new HCSWs on taking up employment from 31 December 2010 Applies to existing HCSWs within timeframe agreed by employer (longer term) Code of Practice for Employers: Applies to all employers from 31 st December 2010

Key Points – what it means for us • Standards and Codes apply to all Agenda for Change Bands where definition is met. • To be embedded as an inherent part of existing systems – KSF (standards have been mapped); PDP; Staff Governance Standard and PIN. • Standards to be included within corporate and department/local induction programmes. • The focus for implementation will be the work environment. A workplace reviewer will oversee the application of the standards.

Key Points – what it means for us • The HCSW will normally be given 3 months (or part-time equivalent) to achieve the standards depending on hours worked -> additional support and time will be given where necessary. • Workbooks for HCSWs and for reviewers have been developed by NES.

Key Points – what it means for us • Standards have been incorporated within Health Facilities Scotland / other frameworks & workbooks. • Small changes will be made to Job Descriptions, appointment letters and contracts to highlight HCSW commitment to the Standards and Code of Conduct. • All managers will be made aware of their responsibilities (Code of Practice for Employers).

Key Points – what it means for us • An Executive Sponsor and Action Officer has been identified in each NHSScotland Board. • An annual progress report will be submitted by Boards to SGHD as part of routine monitoring. • The SWISS system will support national recording of achievement of the Standards and compliance with the Code of Conduct – annual reports will be run.

Key Points – what it means for us The standards achieved through induction, and compliance with the Code of Conduct, will: • Support an improved understanding of the contribution HCSWs make to safety, care and service delivery, and • Reflect the expected standard of behaviour and the norms of employment within NHSScotland

How will we know we are ready for implementation? Ready for Implementation Preparing for implementation • Induction Standards integrated into corporate and on-the-job induction. • Engage with all stakeholders • Alignment of Induction activity • Build assessor capacity and capability • Reviewers prepared • Roles and responsibilities clearly understood • Clear targets • Clear lines of accountability • Clear communication

What does it mean for the HCSW? New HCSW achieves Induction Standards and is aware of their role in public protection and commits to Code of Conduct Evidence of achieving Standards can be used In SVQ pathway, if desired. Evidence of achieving Standards and applying them in the workplace used in KSF development review

Useful websites • HCSW pages on SHOW website: www. workinginhealth. com/standards/healthcar esupportworkers • HCSW pages on NES website: http: //www. hcswtoolkit. nes. scot. nhs. uk/indu ction-standards--codes/standards--codes

QUESTIONS?