Health Care Support Workers (HCSWs) play a crucial role in the delivery of the flu vaccination campaign every year. In the second part of our blog series Get Prepped for Flu– we will look at the immunisation and flu training requirements for HCSWs in relation to the National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Immunisation Training for Healthcare Support Workers and answer some of your most Frequently Asked Questions!
Does Immunisation and Flu Training Differ for HCSWs?
The specific training for HCSW, whether it is foundation training for new immunisers or annual update training for experienced immunisers, will be the same for HCSWs as it is for registered healthcare practitioners (see our last blog Get Prepped for Flu: Why is Training So Important and What Are The Requirements?).
As a quick recap, here are the training requirements for all healthcare professionals when it comes to vaccination:
Where the difference arises in the training pathway is that the HCSW must have been delegated the role of immuniser by a practitioner on a relevant professional register, for example, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or the General Medical Council (GMC). This delegating professional has the professional responsibility for ensuring the HCSW has met the necessary standards of competency.
Will The HCSWs Require Supervised Practice?
As with registered healthcare practitioners, a period of supervised practice to allow acquisition and mentor observation of clinical skills and application of knowledge to practice when the practitioner is new to immunisation is strongly recommended. In addition HCSWs actively involved in immunisation services must have an identified supervisor and supervision from this person must be ongoing. The supervisor must be a registered, appropriately trained, experienced and knowledgeable practitioner in immunisation. The supervisor should ensure the Support Workers’ (HCSWs) immunisation practice meets national standards and reflects current national policy.
Can HCSWs Give Vaccines On A Patient Group Direction (PGD) Like Registered Health Care Practitioners?
No, not currently. Patient Group Directions (PGDs) allow registered health care practitioners to administer certain ‘prescription only’ medications without being prescribers. The PGD must be written and signed by a doctor and a registered pharmacist. The administering practitioner must then read the PGD and also sign to confirm that they have read and understood it. They are then authorised to administer the medication or vaccine without the prescriber being present only if the patient falls into the categories as outlined in the PGD.
The Medicines Act does not allow HCSWs to administer Prescription Only Medicines (POMs) under a PGD as they are not included in the list of authorised persons. An authorised person is one who is professionally regulated – HCSWs therefore have to use a Patient Specific Direction (PSD) or signed prescription as authority
How Can HCSWs Give Vaccines?
HCSWs administering injectable influenza, shingles and/or pneumococcal vaccinations can only do so under a Patient Specific Direction (PSD). A Patient Specific Direction (PSD) is a written instruction, signed by a prescriber for medicines to be supplied and/or administered to a named patient after the prescriber has assessed the patient on an individual basis. PSDs are tailored to the needs of individual patients and it is the prescriber issuing the PSD who takes responsibility for the instruction.
The National Protocol (NP)
During the Covid-19 pandemic the government introduced a new legislative mechanism called the National Protocol. This has allowed COVID-19 vaccines to be administered with improved efficiency during a time when new vaccines are being developed rapidly.
This can be used by a single registered healthcare professional undertaking all stages or multiple (registered or non-registered) persons undertaking different stages. However, the clinical assessment under the National Protocol must be undertaken by a prescriber or specified registered healthcare professional – the other three stages: preparation, administration of the vaccine and record keeping can be undertaken by registered or non-registered persons who are appropriately trained and competent and working under appropriate supervision.
The National Protocol for the upcoming flu season was published on the 1st July 2024, via the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) website.
Can Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) Administer A Vaccine That Has Been Supplied To A Patient Under A PGD?
A registered healthcare professional can supply non-injectable medicines under a PGD and give these to the patient for self-administration or for administration by another person e.g. HCSW. The HCSW is not administering under a PGD, nor are they being delegated the task of administration under the PGD – the PGD is purely for the supply of the vaccine. This means that a HCSW could administer the live intranasal flu vaccine to a child to whom the vaccine has been supplied by a registered healthcare professional under a PGD. Injectable vaccines cannot be supplied in this way so a patient cannot be provided with inactivated flu, shingles and/or pneumococcal vaccine under a PGD and give these to a HCSW for administration.
Updating Your Flu Training In 2024/25
Why are we talking about flu training now then? We understand that for many healthcare organisations, accessing training is a fine balance between releasing staff, finding the right provider, deciding if the training can be delivered on zoom etc etc, and these considerations are just the tip of the iceberg.
At Health Academy we have a range of Flu training courses suitable for HCSWs and registered healthcare practitioners which fit perfectly into the training pathway! These are delivered in ways to suit the needs of all practitioners, from those who wish to take an e-learning only course, right through to those who want a good old fashioned hands-on face to face practical course. Visit our dedicated Flu Hub now to explore all of this year’s flu options.
Join us for a Flu 2024/25 Practical Workshop near you!
Our Flu 2024/25 practical workshop also includes basic life support and anaphylaxis and has a new immunisers e-learning add-on so you can gain compliance with your training requirement all though one purchase! Don’t miss our book your date today!
Join us on the 2nd August for a FREE lunchtime learning session focusing on the topic of Boosting Flu Vaccine Uptake and Reducing Vaccine Hesitancy in Practice – suitable for anyone involved in flu vaccine delivery services, from those working in primary care, community pharmacies to private settings!
In Summary
- Those new to immunising should undergo immunisation foundation training.
- In Line with National Minimum Standards (UKHSA), immunisers should undergo annual updates to ensure that knowledge and practice remain current.
- All vaccinators should undergo Annual Basic Life Support training.
- Health Academy have an all in one solution to keep you current and compliant
