Nursing associates must not be used to replace nurses – union
Posted 09 January 2024 - 07:40
Ministers considering the registered band 4 role for the NHS in Wales, but RCN warns they must not use these staff to dilute the registered nursing workforce
Introducing nursing associates to the NHS in Wales without proper funding or scrutiny could put patient safety at risk, a nursing union has warned.
The Welsh Government is considering introducing a regulated band 4 nursing associate role, but RCN Wales has raised concerns that employers under financial pressures could see the role as a substitute for registered nurses.
Low nurse staffing and its links to higher patient mortality
RCN Wales director Helen Whyley said: ‘Patient safety must be the top priority for the Welsh government. There is a real danger that under financial pressure, health boards will see the employment of nursing associates as a potential alternative to the employment of registered nurses creating a risk for patients.
‘The evidence is undeniable: the professional knowledge, skills and judgement of the registered nurse makes a critical difference to patient safety. Low nurse staffing levels are associated with up to 26% higher patient mortality, longer hospital stays, higher infection rates and a greater incidence of falls and pressure ulcers.’
‘Registered nurse funding must not be stripped out’
While the college does not oppose the introduction of regulated nursing associates, it called for proper scrutiny of its introduction and additional funding. It said without addition funding the benefits of the role, such as improved career opportunities for band 4 support workers, may not be realised.
Ms Whyley added: ‘Given this is a change to government policy and was not in the 2021 Welsh Labour manifesto, the RCN will be scrutinising this new policy to ensure funds for registered nursing education in Wales, nor for the existing registered nursing workforce, are not stripped out.’
A government spokesperson said it would be publishing more details on the nursing associate role shortly.
‘We have undertaken a comprehensive review of literature, evidence gathering and extensive stakeholder engagement. This found there remains significant under-utilisation of the band 4 role and an inconsistent approach to its implementation across NHS Wales,’ the spokesperson said.
Nursing associate role: its strengths and pitfalls
Nursing associates have been part of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register since 2018. The first ever cohort joined the workforce in England in January 2019 after two years of training.
The role was designed to bridge the gap between healthcare assistants (HCAs) and registered nurses and increase the supply of nurses by providing an alternative progression route for HCAs.
However, there were concerns that nursing associates would be used to replace nurses and reduce staffing costs.
In other news