Newly qualified Nursing Associates met with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to explain how a new nursing role has been created to meet the needs of patients in Stockport.
Mr Burnham visited Stockport Stepping Hill Hospital and met with some of the newly qualified Nursing Associates who have successfully completed their training and how they will work with colleagues in providing patient care.
The Nursing Associates are a new registered nursing role at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs both Stepping Hill Hospital and services in the community. Among the first in the county to qualify for the new role, the Nursing Associates will work alongside registered nurses to deliver care for patients and the public.
Healthcare assistants were recruited to the scheme to provide a new caring role, bridging the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses. They work alongside colleagues to deliver hands-on care, focusing on ensuring patients getting the compassionate care they need. They also allow registered nurses to focus on more complex clinical duties.
One of the graduates, Paula Campbell-Powell, received the Lisa Bayliss-Pratt award from Professor Lisa Bayliss-Pratt, Chief Nurse for Health Education England, for Paula’s outstanding commitment to care, one of only two in Greater Manchester to do so.
Mr Burnham also took a short tour of some of Stepping Hill Hospital’s clinical areas, including its A&E department, which has recently received a major renovation to enhance the environment.
Andy Burnham said
“Stepping Hill Hospital is clearly a pioneer with the new Nursing Associates and it’s a been a pleasure to talk to the new recruits as they take to their new role, which will be an improvement for both patients and their fellow staff. It’s great to see this success in action.”
Louise Robson, Chief Executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said:
“We’re very proud of our new Nursing Associates, who are now among the first in the country to take on thisexciting new caring role between healthcare assistants and registered nurses, and helping us to provide outstanding care alongside their nursing colleagues. It was a real pleasure to welcome the Mayor so he could meet them and find out more about the valuable work that they do.”