The role of the healthcare assistant in tissue viability

Abstract

Introduction The registered nurse is personally accountable for his/her practice and if delegating care delivery to others must not compromise standards. Any delegation of care must be directed to meeting the needs and serving the interest of patients and clients. The registered nurse remains accountable for the appropriateness of the delegation'. Within the health care team registered nurses may delegate care to healthcare assistants (HCAs). Jack, Brown and Chapman calculate that following publication of the Wanless Report, 12.5 per cent of nurses' workload could fall to the HCA. The role of the HCA has developed as registered nurses have devolved tasks traditionally performed by student nurses under their supervision to this nonprofessional group of healthcare workers. However, this has resulted in the role of the HCA becoming blurred, causing ambiguity and inconsistent practice. Ramprogus and O'Brien' warn against the potential problems, such as the HCA feeling undervalued and abused if delegation is not accompanied by role boundaries and education. The NHS Plan pledges investment to make better use of the potential of healthcare assistants to raise standards in patient care'. The authors had completed an observational study of pressure ulcer prevention and management within their trusts'. This had led to a further study reported here, which investigated the role of the HCA in two acute district general hospital directorates and one community directorate in North Wales.