Proposed Changes To Nurse Training – Anne Milton MP Gives Her View

Published on: 10 May, 2013
Updated on: 13 May, 2013

Anne Milton MP

By Victoria Lazarevic

Anne Milton, former nurse and Guildford’s MP, has given her view on proposed government changes to nurse training.

Under the proposals, student nurses will have to work on the ‘front-line’ as a health care assistant or support worker before commencement of their student nurse training.  Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Health, said that this would be a year long pre-qualification for student nurses receiving funding for their degree.

The public inquiry into accepted reports of poor standards at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust recommended: “a national entry-level requirement that student nurses spend a minimum period of time, at least three months, working on the direct care of patients”. Health Education England (HEE) have been asked to pilot and evaluate a trial before recommending how it should be taken forward.

Anne Milton, Nurse

Ms Milton, who originally trained as a nurse at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, said: “…people locally will support these changes to nurse training….

“A pilot is a good idea… the emphasis on nurse training has been on the academic side but nurses need to be trained in what the service wants [and this pilot would] tie the two together.”

She rejected suggestions that giving basic care is demeaning for nurses and said, based on her experience: “Being able to look after someone is a privilege, not demeaning. When someone is unwell, personal care such as washing somebody is intensely intimate and people get angry when it is not done well and that intimacy is not respected. It is about saying: ‘Nothing but the best will do’.”

As for the local Royal Surrey County Hospital she said: “They are never complacent, especially with an MP who is an ex nurse always nagging them!”

Anne Milton’s comments we’re reinforced by Louise Stead, Director of Nursing and Patient Experience at the Royal Surrey who said: “We are proud of our great team of nurses who are passionate about delivering the highest levels of care.

“Everyday they strive to look after patients’ from their most basic care needs to more complex care requirements. The delivery of basic care forms the basis of understanding the patient as an individual and gives an opportunity for discussions around patient worries and concerns. They endeavour to ensure that all patients are treated with dignity, empathy and are offered the support they need as part of their treatment.”

A patient governor at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, David  Schuter, who has experience as a patient at the hospital said of the proposed changes:  “Actually, I think it is a very good idea as that is how student nurses will gain insight into what they are letting themselves in for before they proceed onto their training proper.

“Nurses want to care but don’t always realise they’ll have to do menial things that aren’t always that nice, such as emptying bedpans, as well as just the trivial, but necessary, little tasks for patients. These are a major part of working life as a nurse as well as the academic and managerial side.

“[The time spent as an assistant]  will help them understand and learn how to interact with patients from the very start of their training.”

But Mr Chuter had only praise for the nurses at the Royal Surrey: “I can’t fault the nurses here,” he said.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world, said: “Despite some real reservations, we are committed to working with the Government to ensure [the] vision for a patient-centred NHS becomes a reality.”

A spokesperson from The Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) said: “As the NMC set the standards for nurse education they expect to be involved and will work with the government in any pilot they set up.”

The pilots will commence in September and run for twelve months. Between 150 and 200 prospective nurses will be selected to take part. Once completed, a decision will be made on the duration of the pre-student nurse training. It will be either three months, as recommended by the public inquiry, or a year, as recommended by the government.

Share This Post