The challenges of upskilling health care assistants in community nursing

Community care is at the forefront of the National Health Service reforms. Role redistribution from registered nurses to health care assistants is growing. This paper examines the challenges of upskilling community health care assistants to undertake catheterisation for uncomplicated patients in the community. Social constructivist methods facilitated reflective practice. Challenges included fears around delegation, accountability and the responsibilities involved in supporting the development of health care assistants. Recommendations suggest that community health care assistants offer a valuable and much needed contribution to health care delivery and are enthusiastic to upskill in catheterisation. However, reluctance from community registered nurses around delegation delayed the process. Registered nurses will need to address these fears and engage in workforce planning to proactively influence role developments and safe practice. National guidance needs to be structured around clear pathways to support these valued participants in delivering health care.