The role of non-professional staff inhealth adviser/GUM practice –

finding the right recipe

Paul DriscollSSHA conference – 09/09

Who am I?

• Past – HIV nurse specialist, Lead Health Advisor @ Addenbrookes NHS

Trust in Cambridge

• Now - Lecturer in the school of Health and Human Sciences @ the University

of Suffolk, still clinically active

What do I love….?

What a question to ask a new lecturer…

‘Would you like to be involved in a new project

involving Skills for Health?’

Why the lengthy title of this lecture?

The NHS work force is changing…and we have

to be prepared

‘200,000 NHS nurses are about to walk out the door’

‘Hospitals creaking under the strain as NHS vacancies are left unfilled’

Degree only professions

• NHS budgets cut by 10% in next financial year?

• Funding for health and social care courses @ HEIs across the country being

reduced

• Finite NHS resources are starting to bite

• Privatisation

Will this effect Health Advisors?

• Without question

Potential…. Vacancy freezes

Increased difficulty finding staff with appropriate experience to train

Reduction of HA services Erosion of the HA role

Greater threat in non-central/rural centres??

The Solution?

Reflection

Awareness

Preparation

Flexibility

Leadership

The Solution?

Make ourselves more efficient• Review work loads

• Review working structures• Can technology be used to allow more effectively• Can non-professional staff be used to complete

some of the tasks traditionally carried out by a HA?

The Solution?

How many of you have non-professional members of staff carrying out elements of HA

work?

The Solution?• The Associate Practitioner

- band 4

- being developed at a national level and in a Trust near you

- enhanced health care assistant role

- significant applications within GUM ??HA practice??

- FdA supported

The Solution?

What is an Foundation Degree?•A nationally recognised qualification

•240 academic credits (– can be topped up to full BA, 360 credits)

•Students enter the course at academic level 4

•A qualification the facilitates widening participation in HE

•It presents a ideal opportunity for work force development

Health Care Practice FdA – Sexual Health pathway

• Designed for non-professionals working in an appropriate health care setting

• Fully funded by local Strategic Health Authority

• Cohort in place to commence course in Febuary 2010

FdA Health Care Practice – Sexual Health Pathway

In conclusion…

• Am I proposing that we dilute the important work

that Health Advisors carry out….? NO

In conclusion

• Am I proposing that as a professional group we

demonstrate an increased level of awareness towards

the threats to our practice….absolutely.

Thank you.