Issue 17 - May 2008

Welcome to New@WiPP, the regular news bulletin from the Working in Partnership Programme.

Focus of the month: Health Care Assistants

Welcome to May's edition of New@WiPP. This month our focus is the HCA Initiative. Much has been achieved since the last time we focused on this project in March 2007: new resources on the website, a successful conference and plans post June 2008 when WiPP completes.

In this issue:

• Welcome and thank you from Paul Vaughan
• Share your Success and let us know how our resourses have helped! Click here to take part
• HCA resources move to Royal College of Nursing
• This month's podcast: HCAs: a Workforce for the Future
• WiPP Events
• What exactly do you do? You know but does everyone else? Use our smart guide to develop your own personal Impact Statement
• HCA Regulation update
• Quick Guide to applying for a job: great tips from the experts
• The Health Care Assistant: Past, Present and Future - Ian Peate examines this evolving role
• HCA Phase II Report by Martin Bradford - Investment in HCA training pays dividends according to new report
  
  
  • Trained HCAs can increase capacity in general practice by up to 20%

  A new evaluation study commissioned by five primary care trusts (PCTs) in North Central London highlights the very positive impact that standardised professional training has for health care assistants (HCAs). The two-year study involved 120 HCAs across five PCTs who successfully completed a new Foundation Training Programme combined with coaching and mentoring within their practice.

  Click here to download the full report.

• Quick Guide to writing a Protocol
• A Big Thank You to WiPP! by Helen Woodhead
• WiPP conference reports and presentations

Welcome and thank you from Paul Vaughan

As the HCA Initiative Project Manager, I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the success of the work in raising the profile of HCAs and achieving recognition for the contribution HCAs make to delivering high quality care to patients in general practice. I have no problem admitting that much less would have been achieved had I been working alone. So a personal thank you to each and every person who contributed to the development of WiPP's HCA Initiative. It would be remiss of me not to especially thank Anne Longbottom from Staffordshire University for her outstanding work on the HCA Toolkit and subsequent support with the development of a number of resources.

The past three years have taken me on an exciting journey. I began with enthusiasm for developing the role of the HCA, I am now a passionate advocate of the role and when opportunities present themselves in the future I will continue to make the case for ensuring HCAs get the recognition they deserve. The HCAs I have worked with have been inspiring, enthusiastic and motivated to make a difference to improve patient care despite the obstacles they sometimes encounter along the way. I have met many registered nurses who are committed to developing the HCA role as they recognise that they would not be able to effectively carry out their own role without the support of an HCA.

My aim when I began working with WiPP was to reach a tipping point where there were more people recognising and valuing the contribution of HCAs and committed to developing the role than those who were stifling development or not even recognising that the HCA role can make a difference. I believe we have reached that tipping point and that the role of the HCA has now been well established in general practice. There is no going back. HCAs are an integral part of the general practice team.

The HCA toolkit and the additional resources have unexpectedly had a far reaching impact other than general practice. Those working in the acute sector, mental health, learning disabilities and other members of the primary care team have found the resources helpful. So I am delighted to announce that the WiPP HCA Initiative resources will be built upon by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) following June 2008 when WiPP completes its work. Following a rigorous selection process, the RCN was selected to manage the current resources and continue to develop them in the future. Working with key members of the RCN's team, work has already started on developing new resources to support the future development of the HCA role.

My experience working with WiPP has been incredible and I am sad to be saying goodbye. However, I am excited by the new opportunities that are presenting themselves for HCAs through the RCN and wish each and every one of you a successful and rewarding career as an HCA.

Regards

WiPP Events

RCN Practice Nurse Association Annual Conference, 9 - 11 July 2008, City Hall, Cardiff.

Click here for more information.

HCA Conference, Bringing Your Role to Life, 6 November 2008, Regent's College, London

Click here for more information.

WiPP Conference Reports and Presentations

View the conference reports and presentations.

Please forward a copy of this to anyone you think might be interested in subscribing.

Welcome to New@WiPP, the monthly news bulletin from the Working in Partnership Programme. New@WiPP is aimed at professionals in primary care. Please feel free to forward it to anyone you think might benefit from reading it. You can subscribe or unsubscribe here.

WiPP has worked with over 100 NHS and lay organisations to produce a wide range of practical capacity-building tools and resources to help and support health professionals in primary care.

Specifically the resources will help develop and integrate the general practice workforce, implement new ways of working and develop the public's capacity to self care and manage minor illness.

useful links

• WiPP home page
• Contact a WiPP project lead
• Events

why am I receiving this?

• You have received this newsletter because you have asked us to keep you up to date with WiPP developments, because you have attended a WiPP event, or because you receive New@PCC.