Flying Start NHS® programme supports newly qualified practitioners (NQPs), to become confident and capable health professionals. The Scottish Government requires all NQPs to complete Flying Start NHS® in the first 12 months of practice. In line with this, it is a requirement of NHSGGC for all NQPs to undertake and complete the Flying Start programme. To support completion, NQPs are afforded 24 hours protected learning time away from the workplace (see related briefing paper) and information below.
Flying Start NHS® programme information
What is Flying Start NHS®?
Flying Start NHS® is the national development programme supporting transition of newly qualified practitioners (NQPs) in the first year of practice. Supporting NQPs to become confident, capable health professionals . Preceptorship is also fundamental towards development of NQPs.
The foundations of the refreshed Flying Start programme are the four Pillars of Practice. These provide the opportunity to be flexible in their learning, utilising the learning opportunities available to them. NQPs should choose sactivities that will benefit their development and are relevant to their area of practice. Undertaking Flying Start NHS® will also allow the NQP to develop their skills in critical thinking and reflection. Completing the programme supports NQPs to generate evidence contributing to TURAS Appraisal, CPD portfolios, NMC Revalidation and HCPC standards requirements.
The Definitive Guide to the Programme provides a comprehensive overview for both NQPs and Facilitators/Preceptors. The NHSGGC Flying Start resources supports NQPs’ learning, development and portfolio development. It also provides resources to those who may or will be Flying Start Facilitators. For nurses and midwives, it is likely that your preceptor and Flying Start facilitator will be the same person. Your Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) or Care Home Education Facilitator (CHEF) can also offer additional support.
Scottish Government requires all NQPs to complete Flying Start NHS® in the first 12 months of practice. It is a requirement for all NHSGGC NQPs to undertake and complete the Flying Start programme. NQPs are afforded 24 hours (3 days equivalent) protected learning time away from the workplace. This permits attendance at protected learning days 1 and 2. These are based on two 12-hour shifts undertaken by nursing and midwifery staff, and will be rostered and planned for. The study time will occur at approximately month 2 and month 8 of employment. If there are any queries around facilitation of this learning time, please contact your PEF/CHEF .
Protected learning days are supported with facilitated learning resources compiled by NHSGGC Practice Education team. These support NQPs with their learning and development, to meet the learning outcomes for the programme. These resources include:
Learning resources utilised will guide your learning and development and support your understanding of the Flying Start programme includes templates, videos and presentations. These cover reflection, pillars of practice, teamworking and working styles and characteristics, zones of discomfort and self development, resilience, leadership, consolidation of learning, evidencing portfolio and moving forward in your career, as well as staff resources for your Health and Wellbeing.
Information related to Flying Start protected learning time
NQP Signifier Badges are endorsed by Professor Angela Wallace, Nurse Director and Fiona Smith, AHP Director. These should be worn throughout your first year in practice, whilst working through the Flying Start NHS programme. This will allow your colleagues to offer you further support and guidance.
If you have commenced in post and not yet received your NQP Signifier Badge, please email Practice Education. The team can arrange for this to be sent on to you.
Welcome to Let’s Talk Practice Education – Learn your way, the podcast of the NHSGGC Practice Education Team. An informal Podcast designed with you in mind, a resource for those supporting learners in health care. Opinions expressed are not necessarily endorsed by NHSGGC.
We recognise that at times it can be difficult for staff to attend scheduled training and education sessions. Hence, the addition of a podcast to our portfolio of resources to offer a level of flexibility for staff. We have podcasts to complement the resources within the NHSGGC Flying Start Portal. Additionally, we offer a series of 5 podcasts giving information on the new NMC Education Standards (2018). Also, one dedicated to transition to the new PS/PA roles. Both complementing the learning resources on our Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor Portal.
We are delighted that the Podcast has been endorsed by our previous NHSGGC Board Nurse Director Dr Mags McGuire.
As the podcasts are designed with you in mind, we would like to invite you to suggest any practice education topics that you would be interested to hear covered. Or, are you aware of good practice, quality improvement work or initiatives being done by any of your colleagues or teams? We would support staff to utilise our podcast platform to share the good work that is being done. We would also welcome any feedback on the podcast to ensure that these are meeting your needs.
Our podcast is available to download or stream from your phone or mobile device via your favourite podcast player. You can also listen to or download the podcast from the below.
Link To Our Let’s Talk Practice Education Podcasts
Welcome to the NHSGGC HealthCare Support Worker (HCSW) resource and development hub. We wanted a place where all resources for HCSW professional development are in the one place. What’s more, we have links to different support sites such a NHS Education for Scotland (NES), our own development programmes and a sample of training courses and instructions on how to access them.
The Open University HealthCare Support Worker Pathway
Are you a HCSW interested in becoming a Registered Nurse with an Open University BSc (HONS) qualification for Adult, Child or Mental Health Nursing?
To be eligible to apply, you must:
Work 26+ hours a week in a permanent post
Have 12 years’ experience in full time education (including all school years)
Core communication skills at SCQF Level 5 or Standard Grade English (passed at credit level) or National 5 (or the equivalent) in English at the time of application
Core numeracy skills at SCQF Level 5 or Standard Grade Mathematics (passed at credit level) or National 5 (or the equivalent) in Mathematics or Arithmetic at the time of application
We have produced an information sheet which outlines how applicants can check their current level of Numeracy and Literacy, as well as information on potential courses that they can undertake to achieve these qualifications prior to application (please note D&G N5 Numeracy course isn’t open for applications yet on the website, but any interested candidates could register for update/notifications).
Completion and submission of this enquiry form will automatically generate the sending of an application pack when the application window opens. However, you can also ask for an application pack by emailing scotland-nursing-applications@open.ac.uk
We wanted to advise that due to a slight internal delay, the application window will now open on Monday 12th February, rather than next Monday, 5th, as previously advised. However, we will be keeping the original application closing window of Sunday 10th March, as this will still provide applicants with 4 weeks to complete the application. We will also be notifying this to all those who have completed the Nursing Enquiry Form.
OU BSc (Hons) information for managers and employers:
Healthcare Support Worker Central is a key tool for all HCSWs, holding recourses from personal development planning, HCSW learning framework and qualifications.
On 20th July 2021, RCN Scotland released a series of bite-sized video guides for HCSWs working in Scotland! The guides are designed for all HCSWs and they cover a range of topics.
RCN web site We Care
Courses for HCSW
Adult/Paediatric basic life support – Can be booked through eESS in coordination with your line manager and should be renewed every 12-18 months.
ABLS- This 1.5 hour session is appropriate for nursing support staff, some registered nursing staff and allied health care professionals.
PBLS- This 2 hour session is appropriate for nursing support staff, some registered nursing staff and allied health care professionals, some school/nursery staff
Cannulation and venepuncture – Can be booked in coordination with your line manager, a learnpro module is a pre requisite of this course.
Moving and handling competency assessor training– Healthcare support workers can become M & H assessors within their area, promoting best moving and handling practice to ensure patients are moved safely and hopefully reduce staff injury.
HCSW’s would attend a one-day training session with the Moving & Handling team and after this they would be able to carry out the assessments within their ward /dept.
Can be booked in coordination with your line manager.
Gender based violence training for HCSW and training for trainers provided by medics against violence to support HCSW in the instance of voluntary disclosure:
Click here for the latest NMAHP newsletter from NES.
The Competency Programme (TCP)
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Practice Education development programme for nursing healthcare support worker (HCSW), The Competency Portfolio (TCP). TCP is a work based programme aimed at development of the knowledge and understanding required for HCSWs to function in a safe and competent manner in order to protect the public.
The portfolio:
provides clear understanding of the nursing HCSW role
evidences competency
links directly with personal development review
offers opportunity to grow and develop
provides introduction to further study
The portfolio has been mapped to the Mandatory Induction Standards (Scottish Government, 2009a) and the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers (Scottish Government, 2009b). It also links to NHS Education for Scotland’s guide to Health Care Support Worker Education and Role Development (NES, 2010) and the NHS Knowledge Skills Framework (Department of Health, 2004). The portfolio competencies reinforce good practice through reflection, building upon the mandatory standards.
Access to the programme
All new members of staff working in a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) role, including staff transferring internally to a new post within NHSGGC, will be expected to meet the mandatory induction standards and adhere to the HCSW Code of Conduct after 3 months in post (or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of six months). This must be completed prior to commencing TCP.
New to Post HCSWs
On completion of the mandatory induction standards, HCSWs should commence TCP. The SCN/line manager should contact their PEF to arrange an Introduction to the Portfolio session for the HCSW and their assessor/s. Nomination proforma should be completed and returned to the PEF administrator via PracticeEducation@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. Candidates should aim to complete the portfolio within the next 9 months.
Existing Employees
HCSWs that have previously completed other competency profiles may not need to undertake the core section of TCP. Depending on their area of employment, the HCSW may only need to undertake Unit 6 competencies which are specific to each specialty within NHSGGC. Role development should be discussed with their SCN/PDP Reviewer and PEF to ascertain learning needs prior to nomination. The nomination process above should be followed.
Existing HCSWs who have not previously had access to TCP or other competency programmes can access TCP following discussion with their SCN/line manager as above.
Employees who have previously attained SVQ level 2/3 in Care or an equivalent/higher qualification should discuss this with the SCN/PDP Reviewer and PEF for the area to determine if these meet the needs of the service. Again, depending on the area of employment and speciality, they may be required to only complete Unit 6 competencies.
All candidates will be supported by work based assessors. Candidates and assessors will be supported by the PEF Team
On completion of the above programme, please contact your Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) or email PracticeEducation@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. Once confirmed your PEF will issue you a certificate of completion.
Assessors
A key area in the successful implementation and development of the programme will be the commitment and support provided by workplace assessors. A workplace assessor will be a registered practitioner who has been updated suitably prepared for this role. They will have the responsibility for supporting and assessing the HCSW through the programme. Support for assessors in ensuring that appropriate evidence is gathered and documented in the HCSW competency portfolio will be provided by their PEF.
Bank staff
As a result of the transient nature of their employment, bank staff cannot be supported and assessed through the programme.
A new programme for Band 3 Healthcare Support Workers to undertake National Early Warning Score(NEWS) (Acute services and HCSP/Community)/Paediatric Early Warning Score(PEWS) or Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) is available to book via eESS.
Please contact lynne.robertson4@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
This section is about how nurses and midwives can prepare for the Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor roles in order to support future generations of nurses and midwives through effective practice supervision and assessment.
Background
Following publication of the NMC Standards of Education (2018), NHSGGC updated the way we support student nurses and midwives on practice placements. As a result, the mentor evolved into two separate roles, namely the Practice Supervisor (PS) and Practice Assessor (PA).
Preparation at a glance
No previous involvement with the mentorship programme? Please complete the WoS Self-Preparation Form. For Practice Supervisors only, completion of TURAS Units 1-4 will take around 10 hours. For Practice Assessors, completion of Units 5 and 6 will take an additional 6 hours.
Previously a mentor / sign-off mentor / practice teacher? Instead follow and complete the steps within the WoS Transition Form.
Scottish Executive Nurse Directors approved 16 hours of protected learning time to enable nursing and midwifery registrants from NHSGGC to undertake Practice Supervisor (10 hours) and Practice Assessor (additional 6 hours) preparation. This applies to you if you were not previously a mentor, sign-off mentor or practice teacher. Furthermore, you do not need to take protected learning time in a block and should receive support in line with service delivery needs.
At the point of registration, graduate nurses and midwives from Scottish universities should have undertaken supervisor preparation as part of their undergraduate programmes and be “supervisor-ready”. Therefore, all NQNs / NQMs should only be required to complete Assessor preparation (6 hours).
Allied Health Professionals as Practice Supervisors
Typically, Allied Health Professional (AHP) colleagues who are suitably prepared as PSs can sign-off on the Skills and Procedures sections of the PAD, but are not expected to act as the nominated Practice Supervisor.
The three roles undertaking the supervision and assessment of student nurses and midwives
Further Information
A number of bite size sessions, produced under the West of Scotland Regional Approach, to support Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor preparation and development are available to view:
NHS Lanarkshire have developed and shared an online resource to support Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor preparation, development and transition.
Also, enjoy our audio podcasts at a time that suits you. We offer a series of 5 podcasts giving information on the new NMC standards and one dedicated to transition.
You are welcome to contact your PEF / CHEF for further information and guidance.
Here are some additional resources relevant to Practice Education that may be helpful to you.
Quality Management of the Learning Practice Learning Environment (QMPLE)
Quality Management of the Practice Learning Environment(QMPLE) is an online database that has been developed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) in partnership with colleagues from both practice and universities. It manages information relating to the quality of the practice learning experience through student feedback, educational audits, Quality Standards for Practice Learning audits (QSPL) and Practice Assessor data.
Team Leads and staff who are granted access, use QMPLE to provide information on their clinical area for pending students. Anyone who should have access, please contact your local Practice Education Facilitator or Care Home Education Facilitator (PEF or CHEF).
The Knowledge Network
The Knowledge Networkis the national knowledge management platform delivered by the NHS NES Knowledge Services Group. It provides knowledge support for health and social care where they can search NHS Scotland’s national collection of electronic resources (e-journals, articles and e-books) along with all the local NHS Scotland library collections (primarily print books).
The Nursing and Midwifery Council Code
The Nursing and Midwifery Council Code The Code presents the professional standards that nurses and midwives must uphold in order to be registered to practise in the UK.
It is structured around four themes:
prioritise people,
practise effectively,
preserve safety and
promote professionalism and trust.
The Nursing and Midwifery Recovery Standards
The Nursing and Midwifery Recovery Standardswere created in response to the ongoing Covid-19 situation in order to support students, approved education institutions (AEIs) and their practice partners. The key principle is that normal education should continue where possible and where it is not possible AEIs have the option to apply these standards to their programmes.
The Career Development Framework
The Career Development Framework will help you to assess learning needs and plan for your continuing development if you are a nurse, midwife or allied health professional.
If you are a Practitioner, you can use the framework to:
guide your professional development moving from newly qualified novice practice, towards experienced, expert practice.
continuing to develop within your current level of practice
If you are Manager, the framework will help you to:
support discussions that take place as part of professional development reviews.
inform development opportunities.
inform succession planning.
support service redesign and skill mix.
Advanced Nursing Practice Toolkit
Advanced Nursing Practice Toolkit is a UK wide database of resources relating to advanced practice. It supports ongoing work across the sector to enhance understanding of this role, benchmarking of this level of practice and its application to specific roles across clinical practice, research, education and leadership.
Click here to return to Practice Education’s homepage.
Welcome to the NHSGGC Flying Start Portal. This portal has been designed to support newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (AHPs) as they work through the Flying Start NHS® programme during their first 12 months of practice.
Please take a moment to watch the welcome message for your field of practice.
NHSGGC Flying Start Portal – Feedback and suggestions
If you would like to make a suggestion or provide the Practice Education team with feedback, as to how we could improve the Flying Start Portal, please email: practiceeducation@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
What is an Operating Department Practitioner?
Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are vital members of the hospital theatre team. As an ODP you will provide skilled care to patients before, during and after their operation or surgical procedure.
To find out more about the role of the ODP and career pathways visit the ODP page on the TURAS website ODP – TURAS
How do I become an ODP?
To become an ODP you have to undertake The Diploma of Higher Education in Operating Department Practice (DipHE ODP). This is a 2-year full time programme delivered in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland. It includes online training and practice placements, where you’ll progressively gain clinical experience. For information on the programme structure and academic entry requirements please visit the UWS website. On successful completion of the course, students will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a registered Operating Department Practitioner.
Within the West of Scotland region the participating boards are NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Dumfries & Galloway, and the Golden Jubilee National Hospital.
Applications only open once a year in the spring, with the programme starting in September.
What happens after the programme?
On successful completion of the course, students are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a registered Operating Department Practitioner. To find out more about the HCPC and their role in maintaining standards for the education, training and practice of their registrants, visit HCPC’s website.
It is a requirement of NHSGGC that newly qualified ODPs undertake the Flying Start programme within the first 12 months of practice. Click here for more about Flying Start.
Click here to return to Practice Education’s homepage.
About Practice Education
We are registered professionals with backgrounds in fields of nursing and midwifery and our service is primarily about making positive impacts on the experiences and outcomes of patients and those who access health and care services. These impacts are achieved through providing education and learning support for nurses, midwives and their support workers across the Career Framework for Health to enable them to deliver evidence-informed care that is safe, person-centred and effective.
Practice Educators are nurses and midwives who are employed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and hosted nationally within territorial boards. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), currently has two whole time equivalent Practice Educators who are part of the wider corporate practice education team.
The Practice Educators aim is to assist the nursing and midwifery workforce with professional learning and development by supporting collaboration, innovation, and inclusive learning.
You should complete this essential learning within two weeks of starting in your new role. For NHSGGC Bank Staff this must be completed prior to your first orientation shift. If you require support please seek this from your Healthcare Support Worker Mandatory Induction Standards reviewer and line manager. You can also contact us at: ggc.practicedevelopmentinduction@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Essential Learning
HCSW Fundamental Care
HCSWs work in many different clinical areas delivering safe, effective, person-centred care. These areas include inpatient wards, outpatient areas, emergency departments, critical care and theatres.
Although these resources refer to inpatient care, they have relevance to all HCSWs new to our organisation.
Person-centred care is about putting the person at the heart of their care. By asking and listening, we can understand more about the person and do the things that are most important to them. This helps us to provide care that is individualised and improves their experience of care. Delivering high-quality, person-centred care is everyone’s business in NHSGGC.
Food and fluid gives our body energy to allow us to carry out our everyday tasks. Delivering the right amount of food and fluid to our patients is an important role of the HCSW. In your first few shifts on the ward, work with the mealtime coordinator at meal service and find out what’s available for patients, and how to help them with their meals. By supporting people to eat and drink we can help them recover from their illness or surgery and get out of hospital sooner.
A pressure ulcer is an area of skin damaged by pressure. It can be caused by sitting or lying in one position for too long or by rubbing or dragging skin across a surface. The risk of developing a pressure ulcer increases when a person has problems with walking, using the bathroom or they don’t eat and drink enough. It is important that the skin is kept clean and dry and if there are any devices (such as a splint or catheter) the skin under and around these are checked regularly to make sure no damage is developing.
Pressure ulcers can develop very quickly. There are simple measures that you can do to help reduce the risk of your patients developing a pressure ulcer including regular observation of their skin and making sure that they are not sitting or lying in the one position for too long and writing this on the Care Rounding Chart. Your colleagues may refer to pressure ulcer prevention as ‘Tissue Viability’.
Essential Learning Resources
learnPro® module GGC: 080 Prevention of Pressure Ulcers
Infection control is everyone’s business and we all have a part to play in keeping both ourselves and the people we look after safe. People with infection are more likely to come to harm, stay in hospital longer and may even die as a result. Keeping your hands clean, washing them regularly and using personal protective equipment (known as PPE) are important in stopping the spread of infection. In healthcare, Hand Hygiene and PPE are two of the 10 Standard Infection Control Precautions (known as SICPs), which are described in more detail in the GGC:007 Statutory Mandatory Modules.
Essential Learning Resources
learnPro® module GGC:007 Standard Infection Control Precautions
learnPro® module NES: Prevention & Control Infection: C.Difficile
Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) may be insufficient to prevent cross transmission of specific infectious agents. Therefore, additional precautions, Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs), are required to be used by staff when caring for patients with a known or suspected infection or colonisation. More detail is available in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Chapter 2 – Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs) (scot.nhs.uk). Speak to your line manager about when TBPs may be required and the PPE requirements for these specific patients that require them.
learnPro® NES: Scottish IPC Education Pathway – Foundation (Infection Prevention & Control tab)
Palliative and End of Life Care
This outlines the minimum requirements of a Paediatric HCSW to support safe, effective, person centred palliative care within NHSGGC. The Paediatric Supportive and Palliative Care team at Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) provide tertiary specialist paediatric palliative care across the paediatric spectrum, from the antenatal period, through infancy and childhood and also for young people until they reach their 16th birthday (and those who are 17-18 years but still accessing services at RHC). The service provides an individual patient-centred pathway from diagnosis or recognition that a condition is life-threatening or life-limiting.
The team will accept referrals from any healthcare professional. If a patient requires to be assessed by a member of the team the named consultant for the child or young person’s care must give approval. Get in touch with the team with an electronic referral via TrakCare® – Paediatric Supportive and Palliative Care consult.
or click on the pink leaf tile on the right hand side of Staffnet homepage
Moving and Handling
Moving and handling activities is a key part of your duties. This includes assisting patients and tasks such as moving equipment, laundry and stores. To keep yourself and patients safe it is essential you have the correct level of training.
If you have a Scottish Manual Handling Passport no foundation practical training course is required. Bring the passport document in to show your SCN or Team Lead. For Registered Nurses on the NHSGGC Staff Bank, send a copy by email to adminstaffbank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. The dates of Moving and Handling training documented in the passport will go into the ward/ department training records. Complete the mandatory learnPro module: 005 Manual Handling Theory together with the practical competency assessment within your clinical area carried out by one of the local assessors.
All patients should be verbally encouraged to move and position themselves independently. When a patient needs to be moved, handled or requiring a mechanical aid this should be carried out with a member of the ward / department team and not on your own. Please, do not to use hoisting equipment until training completed.
Basic Life Support
You may come across emergency situations when you are at work. Patients can have problems with their airway, breathing or circulation and become suddenly unwell. Your SCN will nominate you for a short course called Basic Life Support which will help you to respond correctly in an emergency situation.
As part of your orientation to your ward / clinical area take some time to locate the emergency / resuscitation trolley
If you find yourself in an emergency situation you may be asked to phone for the resuscitation team. Dial 2222- ask for the Paediatric Resuscitation Team and tell them your clinical area and the hospital you are in.
Sharps Safety
To prevent needlestick injuries, NHSGGC provides sharp safe devices across the organisation within all areas of clinical practice, for the protection of staff.
Essential Learning
If you use sharps as part of your role you must complete:
LearnPro® module: Prevention and Management of Occupational Exposure(Scottish IPC Education Pathway – Infection Prevention and Control tab)
All new team members or internal staff transfers, working in a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) role, are expected to meet the NHS Scotland HCSW Mandatory Induction Standards and HCSW Code of Conduct after 3 months in post (or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of six months). If your post is solely with the NHSGGC Staff Bank you are required to sign the Code of Conduct before you start and you have 6 months to complete the NHS Scotland HCSW Mandatory Induction Standards.
Print off and sign the completion Checklist. If you are not able to print then ask a colleague to help. If your post is solely with the NHSGGC Staff Bank you are required to send a signed copy of the completion checklist to adminstaffbank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Throughout your career, as a Health Care Support worker, you may experience a range of emotions, which could affect your mental health and wellbeing. The NHSGGC: Mental Health and Wellbeing for NHSGGC staff link provides a range of support to prevent and assist with mental health issues in the workplace.
NHSGGC has also produced a booklet with a range of resources and links to support you to take care of your own mental health.
The National Wellbeing Hub contains information, resources and supports which you may find helpful at work and at home.
HealthCare Support Worker (HCSW) Portal – NHSGGC is where you will find all resources and updates for HCSW professional development. There are links to different support sites such as NHS Education for Scotland (NES), our own development programmes and a sample of training courses and instructions on how to access them
You should complete this essential learning within two weeks of starting in your new role. For NHSGGC Bank Staff this must be completed prior to your first orientation shift. If you require support please seek this from your Healthcare Support Worker Mandatory Induction Standards reviewer and line manager. You can also contact us at: ggc.practicedevelopmentinduction@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
HCSW Fundamental Care
HCSWs work in many different clinical areas delivering safe, effective, person-centred care. These areas include inpatient wards, outpatient areas, emergency departments, critical care and theatres.
Although these resources refer to inpatient care, they have relevance to all HCSWs new to our organisation.
Person-centred care is about putting the person at the heart of their care. By asking and listening, we can understand more about the person and do the things that are most important to them. This helps us to provide care that is individualised and improves their experience of care. Delivering high-quality, person-centred care is everyone’s business in NHSGGC.
Food and fluid gives our body energy to allow us to carry out our everyday tasks. Delivering the right amount of food and fluid to patients is an important role of the HCSW. In your first few shifts on the ward, work with the mealtime coordinator at meal service and find out what’s available for patients, and how to help them with their meals. By supporting people to eat and drink we can help them recover from their illness or surgery and get out of hospital sooner.
Essential Learning Resources
learnPro® module GGC: 270 An overview of Malnutrition
A pressure ulcer is an area of skin damaged by pressure. It can be caused by sitting or lying in one position for too long or by rubbing or dragging skin across a surface. The risk of developing a pressure ulcer increases when a person has problems with walking, using the bathroom or they don’t eat and drink enough. It is important that the skin is kept clean and dry and if there are any devices (such as a splint or catheter) the skin under and around these are checked regularly to make sure no damage is developing.
Pressure ulcers can develop very quickly. There are simple measures that you can do to help reduce the risk of your patients developing a pressure ulcer including regular observation of their skin and making sure that they are not sitting or lying in the one position for too long and writing this on the Care Rounding Chart. Your colleagues may refer to pressure ulcer prevention as ‘Tissue Viability’.
Essential Learning Resources
NHSGGC Prevention of Pressure Ulcers
learnPro® module GGC: 080 Prevention of Pressure Ulcers
Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition. People can fall many times and each fall might result in a serious injury such as a head injury or a fractured hip. A fall can happen due to many different risk factors e.g. poor balance, muscle weakness, poor eyesight, or the person is on multiple medications. There are many ways to reduce the risk of a patient falling in your role as a HCSW. It is also important that we encourage patients to be active whilst they are in our care this can be achieved by following the Active Wards Principles. The resources below will allow you to learn more about reducing falls and promoting Active Wards.
These resources aim to develop your confidence and skills to implement person-centred care for the person living with dementia who is admitted to the acute hospital.
Delirium describes a confusion that can happen when patients are unwell. Causes of delirium include illness, surgery and some medicines. Delirium can start suddenly, but usually improves when the cause is found and treated. It can be very frightening for the patient and for their family and carers.
Infection control is everyone’s business and we all have a part to play in keeping both ourselves and the people we look after safe. People with infection are more likely to come to harm, stay in hospital longer and may even die as a result. Keeping your hands clean, washing them regularly and using personal protective equipment (known as PPE) are important in stopping the spread of infection. In healthcare, Hand Hygiene and PPE are two of the 10 Standard Infection Control Precautions (known as SICPs), which are described in more detail in the GGC:007 Statutory Mandatory Modules.
Essential Learning Resources
learnPro® module GGC:007 Standard Infection Control Precautions
learnPro® module NES: Prevention & Control Infection: C.Difficile
PPE droplet precautions. Please note that as we move to business as usual following the pandemic, donning and doffing remain relevant for many organisms.
SICPs may be insufficient to prevent cross transmission of specific infectious agents. Therefore, additional precautions, Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs), are required to be used by staff when caring for patients with a known or suspected infection or colonisation. More detail is available in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Chapter 2 – Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs) (scot.nhs.uk). Speak to your line manager about when TBPs may be required and the PPE requirements for these specific patients that require them.
learnPro® NES: Scottish IPC Education Pathway – Foundation (Infection Prevention & Control tab)
Basic Life Support
You may come across emergency situations when you are at work. Patients can have problems with their airway, breathing or circulation and become suddenly unwell. During your first few months in your new job, your SCN/M or Team Lead may nominate you for a course called Basic Life Support which will help you to respond correctly in an emergency situation.
As part of your orientation to your ward / clinical area take some time to locate the emergency resuscitation trolley
If you find yourself in an emergency situation you may be asked to phone for the resuscitation team. Dial 2222- ask for the resuscitation team and tell them your clinical area and the hospital you are in
Palliative and End of Life Care
Palliative care is the care given to people with a life limiting illness. The term ‘life-limiting’ refers to an illness that can’t be cured and that patients are likely to die from. You may hear the term ‘progressive’ (gets worse over time) or ‘advanced’ (a serious stage) to describe these illnesses. Examples include advanced cancer, end stage cardiac, respiratory, renal failure and motor neurone disease.
Essential Learning Resources
Palliative and End of Life Care in the Hospital Setting
Coping with death and bereavement as a health and social care professional
or click on the pink leaf tile on the right hand side of Staffnet homepage
Moving and Handling
Moving and handling activities is a key part of your duties. This includes assisting patients and tasks such as moving equipment, laundry and stores. To keep yourself and patients safe it is essential you have the correct level of training.
If you have a Scottish Manual Handling Passport no foundation practical training course is required. Bring the passport document in to show your SCN or Team Lead. For Registered Nurses on the NHSGGC Staff Bank, send a copy by email to adminstaffbank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. The dates of Moving and Handling training documented in the passport will go into the ward/ department training records. Complete the mandatory learnPro module: 005 Manual Handling Theory together with the practical competency assessment within your clinical area carried out by one of the local assessors.
All patients should be verbally encouraged to move and position themselves independently. When a patient needs to be moved, handled or requiring a mechanical aid this should be carried out with a member of the ward / department team and not on your own. Please, do not to use hoisting equipment until training completed.
Sharps Safety
To prevent needlestick injuries, NHSGGC provides sharp safe devices across the organisation within all areas of clinical practice, for the protection of staff.
Essential Learning
If you use sharps as part of your role you must complete:
LearnPro® module: Prevention and Management of Occupational Exposure(Scottish IPC Education Pathway – Infection Prevention and Control tab)
Ask your SCN, SCM or Team Lead if you will be involved in any part of the Blood Transfusion process, if yes please read on and complete the essential learning. If not, then tick N/A on the completion checklist.
It is essential to discuss with your SCN, SCM or Team Lead to find out if you are likely to be involved in:-
Taking pre transfusion blood samples
Collecting and storing blood components
HCSWs involved in any stage of the transfusion process are required to undertake the appropriate learning required for their role. Appropriate training and learning must be undertaken before participation in taking pre transfusion blood samples or the collection and delivery of blood or blood products.
NHSGGC recognises that employees and patients may be exposed to violence, aggression, and distress. Those who experience it can be at risk of physical and emotional harm. NHSGGC has a lawful responsibility to reduce this risk and act to keep staff and patients as safe as is practicable.
Our aim is that the risk of harm posed by violence, aggression, and distress will be reduced to its lowest practicable level and that relationships between ourselves, patients, and others who use the service are positive and respectful. To help achieve this, a Public Health, Human Rights Based, Risk Reduction model is used which includes the provision of training that is relevant and sufficient for your role within NHSGGC.
Essential Learning Resources
LearnPro module GGC: 003 – Reducing Risks of Violence and Aggression
Other Useful Resources
Your line manager will complete a Training Needs Analysis to identify if you work in an area/service exposed to a higher risk of violence, aggression, and distress. This will require some staff to attend in-person Health and Safety Violence Reduction training which is booked through eESS.
Prior to attending this training complete LearnPro module GGC: 312 – Violence Reduction – Physical Skills Knowledge – Adults.
All new team members or internal staff transfers, working in a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) role, are expected to meet the NHS Scotland HCSW Mandatory Induction Standards and HCSW Code of Conduct after 3 months in post (or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of six months). If your post is solely with the NHSGGC Staff Bank you are required to sign the Code of Conduct before you start and you have 6 months to complete the NHS Scotland HCSW Mandatory Induction Standards.
Print off and sign the completion Checklist. If your post is solely with the NHSGGC Staff Bank you are required to send a signed copy of the completion checklist to adminstaffBank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Throughout your career, as a Health Care Support worker, you may experience a range of emotions, which could affect your mental health and wellbeing. The NHSGGC: Mental Health and Wellbeing for NHSGGC staff link provides a range of support to prevent and assist with mental health issues in the workplace.
NHSGGC has also produced a booklet with a range of resources and links to support you to take care of your own mental health.
The National Wellbeing Hub contains information, resources and supports which you may find helpful at work and at home.
HealthCare Support Worker (HCSW) Portal – NHSGGC is where you will find all resources and updates for HCSW professional development. There are links to different support sites such as NHS Education for Scotland (NES), our own development programmes and a sample of training courses and instructions on how to access them
