Patients at risk as nurses miss out on mandatory training
10:21 - 18/05/2010
Patients at risk as nurses miss out o...
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned that nurses lack access to vital training in key areas, including that of infection control, and that this could impact on patient safety.
The RCN conducted a UK-wide survey of 3000 members to find out how easily nurses are able to access training. Mandatory training covers areas which are vital for patient safety and the provision of good quality care. It includes subjects such as infection control, child protection and basic life support, and regular updates are required.
Of those surveyed, only just over half said they felt up-to-date with their training. The survey also revealed that around 34% of nursing staff are forced to use their annual leave to attend training days and almost 40% have to fund their own training in the mandatory subjects.
As part of the survey, the RCN also asked the respondents questions about their experiences on ground level. They found that some members had to cancel courses due to staff shortages and that they were unable to rely on their employers to cover the cost of training. Throughout the survey, a lack of cover was commonly given as a reason why nurses had not undertaken the mandatory training.
Janet Davies, the RCN’s Executive Director of Nursing and Service Delivery, says: “Mandatory training is there for a reason – it ensures that staff are up to date with infection control procedures, life saving techniques and good practice. […] It is up to trusts and managers to ensure that staff are up to date and can access the training they need. Nurses are carrying out more and more tasks, but we can see they are starting to be hit by a double whammy – staff shortages and a lack of training.”
We can offer a range of training designed for the health and social care sector, which includes the mandatory subjects, and meets Skills for Care Common Induction Standards and has links to NVQ Level 2.
Operations Director Perry Leeks says: “It is important that nurses and carers have continual access to mandatory training as it forms part of their key skills and knowledge and enables them to care for patients more efficiently. The last thing anyone wants is for patients to be put at risk because the fundamental training has been by-passed.
“We offer Basic Life Support, Infection Control and Child Protection courses, outlined here as vital areas for training. In addition, we can also provide Handling and Administration of Medicines, Health and Safety for Carers, Moving and Handling of People, and many more. One of our dedicated Business Development Managers can help you to discuss your training needs and arrange a training programme which is convenient and cost-effective for you.”
For further information on any of our courses, please contact us today.
The RCN conducted a UK-wide survey of 3000 members to find out how easily nurses are able to access training. Mandatory training covers areas which are vital for patient safety and the provision of good quality care. It includes subjects such as infection control, child protection and basic life support, and regular updates are required.
Of those surveyed, only just over half said they felt up-to-date with their training. The survey also revealed that around 34% of nursing staff are forced to use their annual leave to attend training days and almost 40% have to fund their own training in the mandatory subjects.
As part of the survey, the RCN also asked the respondents questions about their experiences on ground level. They found that some members had to cancel courses due to staff shortages and that they were unable to rely on their employers to cover the cost of training. Throughout the survey, a lack of cover was commonly given as a reason why nurses had not undertaken the mandatory training.
Janet Davies, the RCN’s Executive Director of Nursing and Service Delivery, says: “Mandatory training is there for a reason – it ensures that staff are up to date with infection control procedures, life saving techniques and good practice. […] It is up to trusts and managers to ensure that staff are up to date and can access the training they need. Nurses are carrying out more and more tasks, but we can see they are starting to be hit by a double whammy – staff shortages and a lack of training.”
We can offer a range of training designed for the health and social care sector, which includes the mandatory subjects, and meets Skills for Care Common Induction Standards and has links to NVQ Level 2.
Operations Director Perry Leeks says: “It is important that nurses and carers have continual access to mandatory training as it forms part of their key skills and knowledge and enables them to care for patients more efficiently. The last thing anyone wants is for patients to be put at risk because the fundamental training has been by-passed.
“We offer Basic Life Support, Infection Control and Child Protection courses, outlined here as vital areas for training. In addition, we can also provide Handling and Administration of Medicines, Health and Safety for Carers, Moving and Handling of People, and many more. One of our dedicated Business Development Managers can help you to discuss your training needs and arrange a training programme which is convenient and cost-effective for you.”
For further information on any of our courses, please contact us today.
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