Are nursing associates the new kids on the block of the learning disability sector?

Abstract

Health Education England’s £2 million learning disability recruitment drive will include 150 places for the recently created role of nursing associate. Last year Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust began training 120 nursing associates in three cohorts across the organisation. It is believed to be one of the largest intakes of nursing associates in the country. The trust, based in Oxford, serves about 750 people with learning disabilities across the county, and has about 40 learning disability nurses working in different settings. The trainee nursing associates (TNAs) undertake a two-year apprenticeship programme. They work four days a week in placements and one day a week on a foundation degree programme with Buckinghamshire New University. They enter as band threes but, once qualified, will be on band four.