Very few nurses in Scotland think that staffing is adequate to properly meet the requirements of the country’s safe staffing laws, according to new research. The study, conducted by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and Edinburgh Napier University, has uncovered the challenges facing Scottish health boards in implementing the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act. “The act’s overarching goal of ensuring safe staffing is not being met at the point of implementation” Eileen Lake The landmark legislation came into force in April 2024, following five years of delays, and has set out requirements for safe staffing levels across…
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Home care groups have come together to express their support for the Older Americans Act (OAA) and warn Congress that disrupting the OAA could leave elderly people without compromising home care. On May 22, more than 50 healthcare providers and advocacy groups, including Addus HomeCare, the national alliance of National Caregiving and Leading Wayge, wrote to Congress to highlight the meaning of “splitting” the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the OAA. “I joined Leadingage in favor of the OAA, taking into account the restructuring of the HHS, including the demolition of the OAA Living (ACL), and taking…
The majority of master’s-equivalent nursing apprenticeships will no longer be funded by the government, it has been announced. Funding for all level 7 apprenticeships will be removed from January 2026, unless the apprentice is aged 16-21 or is already on the course when the change comes in. “Many employers depend on the apprenticeship levy to fund leadership, specialist and advanced nursing education” Nicola Ranger Level 7 apprenticeships are equivalent to a master’s degree and are typically undertaken by older adults looking to progress in their careers. These, in nursing, include specialised apprenticeships in school nursing, health visiting, advanced clinical practice,…
A Cabinet Office director has been appointed to help lead cultural transformation at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), it has been announced. Ravi Chand will be joining the regulator from 7 July as the new executive director of people and culture. “It’s an exciting chapter, and I look forward to driving positive change and innovation in the healthcare sector” Ravi Chand Mr Chand’s appointment comes as part of external recruitment for four substantive executive-level roles following a wave of resignations across the NMC’s board, first reported by Nursing Times earlier this year. The executive director of people and culture…
School nurses and health visitors are among those demanding that the government outlaws physical punishment of children, including smacking. An open letter signed by 13 health and social care organisations has asked ministers to back an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would remove the “reasonable punishment” defence in England. “We cannot, in good conscience, allow this outdated defence to persist” Letter Under the Children Act 2004, it is unlawful to hit your child except where it is a “reasonable punishment”, and this is judged on a case-by-case basis. The letter, signed by the School and Public…
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has issued formal definitions of nursing support workers, including a new distinction between healthcare assistants (HCAs) and registered nursing associates. A collaboration between various committees within the college led to the development of the new definitions, which were published earlier this month. “We are seeking to ensure that staff and patient safety is upheld” Wendy Preston A nursing support worker is now defined as a “collaborative member” of a nursing and multidisciplinary team providing person-centred nursing care, with this care always being delegated and supervised by a registered nurse. Under the new definitions, two…
On Wednesday, numerous bipartisan lawmakers overhauled the advance approval process for seniors who have registered with the Medicare Advantage (MA) plan and reintroduced a bill that would cut some of the red tapes facing home health providers. Improving timely access to care for seniors is aimed at amending part of the Social Security Act, establishing pre-MA approval requirements, increasing transparency and requiring electronic pre-authentication systems. “As a doctor, I have seen firsthand how a broken pre-certification process slows down the care needed and irritates both the elderly and their doctors,” said Rep. Amibella (D-Calif.), one of the lawmakers who support…
This article is part of the HHCN+ membership The Trump administration pledged a massive deportation and implemented a proactive strategy to implement the plan. When home care providers are already struggling with staffing crisis, massive deportation can spell out the troubles of healthcare providers and create disability for seniors who need care services. Already concerned about a labor shortage, home care executives are pushing for policies that make it easier to expand the limited pool of healthcare workers to support seniors in their homes, including an expanded visa program. Home Assist Health CEO Sara Wilson said he believes creating meaningful…
Help at Home has announced the acquisition of Central Florida home care. The acquisition will expand its presence in Florida following the company's purchase of Caregiver Services Inc. Home Help is currently operating in all Florida counties. In a statement, Florida community leader Glen Golemi said: “We currently serve 1.5 million hours of care each year to Floridians, and we look forward to providing home care services to more vulnerable populations across the state.” Chicago-based In-Home Help offers home care services in more than 200 locations across 11 states, serving 70,000 clients. The current home care of the Central Florida…
Nurses are prepared to strike over an “insulting” 3.6% pay offer by the government, according to a campaign group. On Thursday (22 May), health and social care secretary Wes Streeting announced the details of the 2025-26 Agenda for Change pay deal, having accepted the headline recommendations of the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB). “There’s only so far you can push people before they say enough is enough” Holly Turner The deal means staff on Agenda for Change contracts in England, which include NHS nurses, midwives and others, are set to receive a 3.6% pay rise from August, backdated to 1…