'Nightingale Effect' boost for NHS in the South West
Patients families and staff supported by 1,000 new healthcare support workers so far this year
Last updated 15th Apr 2021
Since January the South West NHS has successfully recruited 1,008 healthcare support workers (HCSW) and a further 304 are waiting to start following the pre-employment checks.
Over 40% of people recruited are new to health and social care which is being seen as clear evidence of the 'Nightingale effect' linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
The new staff will support the workforce and assist nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals to perform health checks, update patient records, help patients wash, dress and move around, and care for women and families in maternity services.
They'll also support people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities, and autism.
Healthcare Support Workers (HCSW)
In November 2020, NHS England launched its latest 'We Are the NHS' recruitment campaign. This followed a record rise in nursing students joining the NHS this academic year, with UCAS figures from August 2020 showing a 22% increase from the same point in 2019.
Sue Doheny, Director of Nursing at NHS England and NHS Improvement said:
"We are so pleased to be welcoming people into the NHS. Many of our registered nurses, midwives and allied health professionals began their careers as HCSWs, so if you like thousands of others have been inspired by the work of staff over the past year, please consider joining us."
There are around 150,000 HCSWs in the health service, and in a drive to reduce vacancies and bolster the workforce, the NHS invested £45 million in recruiting more.
A total of 10,611 have begun careers with NHS providers since 1st January.
For some, being part of delivering the covid vaccination programme inspired them to join the NHS permanently.
4,770 further HCSWs will join the NHS as soon as their pre-employment checks are complete.