Posted 28 March 2024 - 12:28
Posted 28 March 2024 - 12:28
News
NMC agrees to regulate nursing associate role in Wales
Regulator says introduction recognises the positive difference nursing associates can make to patient care, with the first cohort expected to begin training in autumn 2025
Regulator says introduction recognises the positive difference nursing associates can make to patient care, with the first cohort expected to begin training in autumn 2025
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has agreed to regulate nursing associates in Wales, it has been announced.
In a meeting on 27 March, the NMC council gave the green light to the introduction of the band 4 role, following a request from the Welsh cabinet secretary for health and social care, Eluned Morgan.
Wales to become second UK country to introduce nursing associates
Since 2019, more than 10,000 people have joined the NMC register in England as nursing associates, a role intended to bridge the gap between registered nurses and healthcare assistants. The NMC says almost 1,500 of those have gone on to become registered nurses, demonstrating that ‘it can be a successful pathway into graduate-level nursing’.
The regulator will now write to the UK government and ask it to change the NMC’s legislation to accommodate the request from the Welsh Government.
Nursing associates ‘make vital contribution to health and well-being’
‘We welcome the expansion of the nursing associate role to Wales,’ said NMC chief executive Andrea Sutcliffe. ‘Since the introduction of the role in England five years ago, thousands of nursing associates have successfully joined nursing teams, making a vital contribution to the public’s health and well-being – and many have gone on to train as registered nurses.
‘It’s good to see that another UK country has recognised the positive difference that nursing associates can make to people’s care.’
Ms Sutcliffe added that the NMC would immediately begin supporting implementation of the new role in Wales, with the first nursing associates expected to begin training in autumn 2025.
Government will work with unions to establish parameters of role
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: ‘We’re pleased that the NMC has formally agreed to regulate the nursing associate role in Wales. Our comprehensive review found strong support for the introduction of a regulated band 4 nursing role. There is also compelling evidence of the role having made a positive impact in England.’
The spokesperson added that the government will work with the RCN, Unison and regulatory bodies to determine the parameters of practice for the new role.
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