Better services for people needing care thanks to pilot

PEOPLE needing care are receiving better services thanks to a pilot programme that changed the way health and social care staff in west Wales are trained.

The project, run by Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire local authorities, working with Hywel Dda University Health Board and Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), has been highlighted by the Social Care Institute for Excellence.

An evaluation of the project said that the joint model of health and social care induction training created changes in practice and better outcomes for people who use care and support services.

The councils, health board and HEIW worked together on the pilot between 2019 and 2021. More than 160 members of staff completed the programme – 120 of them also successfully completing a level two health and social care qualification. The induction training supported new workers in their first months of employment and covered topics such as principles and values, personcentred care and safeguarding.

Experienced practitioners from health and social care, along with specialists, acted as tutors and mentors to support staff undergoing their training.

The Social Care Institute for Excellence found the pilot increased learners’ confidence and competence, and supported workforce recruitment and retention.

It also said that effective joint working between health and social care was essential to the pilot’s success.

“The rollout of the programme will be taken forward as one of our priorities for West Wales through our regional workforce programme board,” it said.