University of Northampton welcomes new Nursing Associate students

Northamptonshire has welcomed a group of history-making students who are leading the way in shaping the nursing workforce of the future.

38 Nursing Associate students have been recruited to a landmark pilot scheme, and the group began their studies last week at the University of Northampton.

Northamptonshire is part of a wider East Midlands collaborative of NHS Trusts and universities and one of only 11 pilot sites in the UK training the first wave of nursing associates.

The new Nursing Associate role is a key part of national plans to create a strong, sustainable nursing workforce for the future. The nursing associates will work alongside existing health care support workers and registered nurses to deliver hands-on care for patients.

Carolyn Fox, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Patient Services at Northampton General Hospital, said: “This is a really exciting time for nursing in Northamptonshire as we help to shape the future of the nursing profession. This confirms the strength of the partnerships between the NHS and the University of Northampton in producing nursing professionals of the highest calibre.

“We’re delighted to welcome and support the first students to embark on this new route in nursing. We provide outstanding levels of support to our existing nursing workforce and we’re looking forward to extending that to our new nursing associates.”

Dr Steve O’Brien, Dean of the University of Northampton’s Faculty of Health and Society, said: “I’m extremely pleased that the Faculty have been able to respond to this initiative in such a short timeframe. It has clearly demonstrated the strength of our working  partnership with the NHS Trusts in Northamptonshire. The Nursing Associate role will be critical for the future of the health and social care workforce in the future and I’m delighted the Faculty is playing its part in shaping this development.”

Eleven sites across the country – representing partnerships between universities and employers, including NHS trusts, GP practices and care homes –are delivering pilot schemes over the next two years. Northamptonshire is represented on the Midlands & East pilot site which includes neighbouring areas of Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire & Rutland.

Northampton General Hospital, Kettering General Hospital, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Northampton are all partners in the programme which will provide trainees with on-the-job learning through a combination of placements days, taught education, and time in practice.

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The Midlands & East pilot represents a large and diverse area with a population of 4.5 million covering Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire & Rutland. The large partnership will enable a considerable variety of experience, including health care and social care, adult mental health, offender health, public health and more, in primary, community and acute settings, including hospices and care homes.