TWO health care support workers from Hope House Children’s Hospices have become organisation’s first to study for a new qualification aimed at bridging the gap between their roles and registered nurses.

The Nursing Associate role has been created because of a national shortage in registered nurses. Regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, it will build capacity in the nursing workforce and free up registered nurses to focus on more complex clinical duties.

Hope House Head of Care Diane Hobday-Hulme explained that the two members of her Care Team, Rachel Bolderstone and Louise Hurdley, would study one day a week with the University of Chester and combine this with on the job training.

Diane explained: “We are fortunate to have a group of very talented, dedicated and passionate healthcare support workers, who are committed to the organisation, our philosophy of care and who desire career progression.

“Hope House as an employer has always placed emphasis on, and investment into, training our workforce in order to provide high standards of quality care.

“We need to have a flexible, dynamic and evolving workforce. The importance of children receiving end-of-life care from staff who are known to and trusted by them and their families is well established.

“The Nursing Associate role will enable us to have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place at the right time, both within the hospice and in the community.”

Rachel and Louise are excited at embarking on their new studies.

Rachel has worked at Hope House for 11 years, and Louise for 7 years.

Louise says that she is particularly pleased about being able to progress her career, while staying in the job she loves.

“Being able to study and work at Hope House means that I can further my skills without having to leave the job I love. It also means that I will continue to receive support from the very experienced nursing team at Hope House,” she explained.

“The role will mean that as a Nurse Associate I will be able to take on some of the core work of nursing freeing up the Registered Nurses to be able to concentrate on the more complex care. This is especially important because it will give us the resources to continue to reach more families.”

Rachel is looking forward to learning more about the clinical side of nursing, and developing her skills.

“I’m grateful to Hope House for this opportunity and know I will have all the help and support I need while doing the course,” she added.