Richard Graham MP has highlighted Gloucester’s interest in having a pilot project that could see 1,000 new Nursing Associates trained in Gloucestershire.
Speaking in an opposition debate on nurses, the City MP said the new role, which would require a two year apprenticeship, “will make a huge difference in places like my constituency where we need new nurses of this kind to increase the numbers of home-trained nursing staff.”
The role would be a new route to become a registered nurse, has been recommended by nursing leaders, and other healthcare professionals, and will help bridge the gap between healthcare support workers, who have a care certificate, and registered nurses (with degrees).
Richard later said: “I’ve no doubt that if our University is approved to offer pre-registration courses, and then run a major pilot scheme for Nursing Associates in Gloucestershire, that would make a huge difference to the current shortage of nurses in both city and county.”
The MP added in the debate that: “Degrees aren’t for everyone, so this higher apprenticeship will give everyone the opportunity to get a qualification, and work in the health sector which is our biggest employer here in Gloucester.”
