Article: Assistant practitioners in palliative care: doing things differently

An NHS Palliative care service describes the appointment of two assistant practitioners to support end of life care and a new model of working to meet increasing demands on their service.

Rudrum, I., Mahalingham, N. & Bura, M. 2018. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 12 (12) p 610 - 612.

Contact the library for a copy

Article: Is pre-registration nursing or nursing associate training the right path for you?

This article aims to provide further insight into a number of training and pathways available to healthcare assistants, including the Certificate in Fundamental Care, undergoing training for pre-registration nursing or the nursing associate role.  It emphasises that for some HCA's, they already have a very valued role and may not wish to develop this further, while for other staff, these pathways are of interest.

Grainger, A. 2018.  Is pre-registration nursing or nursing associate training the right path for you.  British Journal of Health Care Assistants, 12 (4) p 182 - 185

For a copy of the article please fill out the online request form

[Article] Care Certificate Standard 11 and 12: Safeguarding children and basic life support

This article provides an overview of safeguarding children and basic life support, which are the Care Certificate's standards 11 and 12 respectively. Safeguarding children and young people is everyone's responsibility, and the healthcare assistant and the assistant practitioner (HCA and AP) have to play their part in ensuring children and young people are safe. An overview of adult basic life support is provided, emphasising that prompt recognition and appropriate actions can save lives.

Peate, I. 2016. Care Certificate Standard 11 and 12: Safeguarding children and basic life support.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants,  10 (no. 4); p. 194-198

To request a copy, click here fill in form and return to library.

[Article] Care Certificate Standards 13 and 14: Health and safety, and handling information

This article, discussing standard 13 of the care certificate relating to health and safety, offers a broad overview of the key issues. Standard 14 is concerned with the handling of information, outlining the agreed ways of working and the legislation associated with the recording, storing and sharing of information. It is essential to have secure systems in place for recording and storing information, as this protects and safeguards each individual's human rights.

Peate, I. 2016.  Care Certificate Standards 13 and 14: Health and safety, and handling information.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 10 (5) p 246-251

To request a copy, click here fill in form and return to library.

[Article] Care Certificate Standard 15: Infection prevention and control

Standard 15 is the final standard of the Care Standards Certificate and concerns the prevention and control of infection. The healthcare assistant and assistant practitioner (HCA and AP) are key care providers in a variety of health and social care settings. Because of this, it is essential that you have an understanding of the key issues surrounding infection prevention and control, with the important aim of providing safe and effective care. This article discusses the key issues that can help ensure that those people you provide care to, or offer support to, as well as those you work with, are safe.

Peate, I. 2016.  Care Certificate Standard 15, Infection prevention and control.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, vol. 10 (6) p. 296-301

To request a copy, click here fill in form and return to library.

[Article] Care certificate standard 7 and 8: Privacy and Dignity, and Fluids and Nutrition

Part of a series of articles to support healthcare assistants undertaking the Care Certificate, this article looks at the 10 elements of high quality dignified care and lists many examples in which dignity can be promoted.  It then look at fluids and nutrition, highlighting the ways a HCA can assist in eating and drinking, additional equipment to consider and who is more at risk of malnutrition.

Peate, I. 2016.  Care certificate standard 7 and 8: Privacy and Dignity, and Fluids and Nutrition.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 10 (2) p 95 - 99.

[Article] The Care Certificate: Standards 1 and 2 - Your role and Personal Development

Published in the British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, this is the first in a series of articles that will address all 15 standards of the Care Certificate.  This article focuses on the healthcare assistants role and why personal development is key in offering care to people that is safe and effective.   It discusses the Personal Development Plan (PDP), improving knowledge and skills, and lifelong learning.

Peate, I. 2015.  Care Certificate Standards 1 and 2: your role and your personal development.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 9 (10) p 496 - 501.

To request a copy, click here fill in form and return to library.

[Article] Care Certificate Standard 3 and 4: Duty of Care and Equality and Diversity

This article discusses the 3rd and 4th standards in the Care Certificate: duty of care, and equality and diversity.  It discusses accountability and responsibility, delegation of duties, discrimination and prejudice.

Peate, I. 2015. Care Certificate Standard 3 and 4: Duty of Care and Equality And Diversity.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 9 (12) p 600 - 604.

To request a copy, click here fill in form and return to library.

[Article] Care Certificate Standards 5 and 6: Working in a Person-Centred Way, and Communication.

3rd in the series of articles from the British Journal of Healthcare Assistants.  The article discusses person-centred values and the 9 values this incorporates including individuality, independence, choice, dignity, privacy, partnership working and rights.  Under the communication standard, it discusses the key elements of communicating effectively and being self aware of how we also communication via body language and gestures.

Peate, I. 2016.  Standards 5 and 6: Working in a Person-Centred Way, and Communication.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 10 (1) p 36 - 42

To request a copy, click here  fill in form and return to library.

[New Book] Essential knowledge and skills for healthcare assistants

The book covers a range of topics, including information on accountability, delegation, communication skills, confidentiality, record keeping and reflection, and uses a light-hearted and accessible style.  Clinical skills include vital signs, basic wound care, skin care and respiratory measurements.

Rawles, Z. 2014.  Essential Knowledge and Skills for Healthcare Assistants.  CRC Press.

EACH Library Members - email the library to request a loan.

[Article] Accountability and delegation explained

The focus of this article is to provide an understanding of accountability and delegation in the context of the roles of healthcare assistants (HCA's).  It provides an overview of legal aspects, what accountablity means in everyday practice, the concept of safe delegation and an overview of responsibilities.

Mullen, C. 2014.  Accountablity and delegation explained.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 8 (9) p 450-453.

To request a copy, click here, fill in form and return to library.