Full story in HSJ, 18 October 2018
NHS trusts recruited a higher percentage of healthcare assistants than nurses over a two year period, new research has revealed.
HCA numbers increased by 6.5 per cent between December 2015 and December 2017, whereas nursing numbers in hospital trusts increased by just 0.5 per cent, from 270,725 to 272,476, according to analysis by BPP University School of Nursing.
The research, which comprised of data from 195 trusts, highlighted that HCAs now account for three in 10 care roles in the NHS.
Research has shown a link between a higher proportion of healthcare assistants versus registered nurses and a rise in patient mortality.