Celebrating a first for the Trust!

4 August 2023

Becky Bowey, who works at Velindre Cancer Centre Outpatients Department, has become Velindre University NHS Trust’s first Assistant Practitioner, having advanced from being a Healthcare Support Worker to a Trainee Assistant Practitioner. To achieve this, Becky has undertaken a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) in Healthcare Nursing Support Worker Education.

Becky recently completed the two-year-long course at the University of South Wales, which promotes self-discovery and an awareness of the demands of professional practice. It also covers the essentials of nursing, promoting health and wellbeing, biopsychosocial sciences, medicines management, research/evidence, assessing, and meeting needs whilst exploring therapeutic opportunities across the fields of nursing are the core principles explored.

Viv Cooper, Head of Nursing, Quality, Patient Experience & Integrated Care, said: “This is a wonderful achievement and a great example of how we need to take opportunities to develop our workforce outside of traditional models. We are very proud of Becky and I know that she has already inspired others to follow a similar path.”

Becky moved to Wales to join Velindre in 2018, having previously worked as a Healthcare Assistant at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. She became a Senior Healthcare Support Worker within SACT-taking observations, venepuncture, cannulating, and is also part of IV Access Team supporting during the insertion of PICC lines.

Jeanette Miller, Outpatient Nurse Manager, said: “When Becky first arrived in Velindre University NHS Trust she was a breath of fresh air, really eager to learn, questioning all to get a better understanding of what we do and why. You could see she wanted to improve herself and put all the hard work needed to obtain this position whilst also working full time.”

The CertHE qualification involves an anatomy and physiology exam which trainees must pass, as well the submission of a reflective essay and a leaflet promoting an aspect of health and well-being. The course is for healthcare support workers who work alongside registered nurses, supporting nursing roles, and is a requirement to become an Assistant Practitioner.

Nicola Williams, Executive Director Nursing, AHP & Health Science, said: “I am very proud of Becky, she is inspirational and leading the way for enhanced support worker roles at Velindre University NHS Trust. We have significant clinical workforce challenges across the NHS and we need to think differently in relation to how care and services can be provided to our patients. Assistant Practitioners are one of the ways we can achieve this.”

The Trust currently supports four Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) annually to undertake the course, which is extremely popular amongst our staff due to the opportunities it offers, including being the training requirement of the Assistant Practitioner framework and role.

Currently, there is one other member of staff in the role of Trainee Assistant Practitioner and the Trust is hoping to recruit a third in the coming weeks.