Revised Code of Conduct covers healthcare

24 September 2015

A revised code of conduct for some staff employed in health and social care in Jersey launches this week.

The Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in Jersey outlines best practice guidelines for those employed in non-regulated roles; this will bring Islanders working in this sector in line with their UK counterparts.

The introduction of the revised Code follows the publication of reports in the UK such as Willis Commission (2012) on the future of nursing education and the Francis Inquiry (2013) into failings at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. These reports highlighted variations in competence among those engaged in care activities and the need for all staff to be appropriately trained to deliver safe and effective care.

Rose Naylor, Jersey’s Chief Nurse, said the Code was a welcome step to standardise good practice across health and social care.

"The Code sets out the standards of conduct, behaviour and attitude, so that the public and those who use health and care services know what they should expect – this will give them confidence that they will be treated with dignity, respect and compassion at all times," she said.

"We already know there are many staff who work in the care sector across Jersey who give their best every day to support patients. The Code provides a framework for staff to support them in the delivery of high quality care by setting clear expectations. From an employer’s perspective the Code sets out the standards expected and will help in identifying any additional training or development needs to further enhance the care provided."

Conference for Healthcare Assistants​

The Code is being officially launched today (Thursday 24 September) at the ‘Making a Difference’ conference for Healthcare Assistants, to be held at the Halliwell Lecture theatre at Jersey General Hospital. The focus of the conference is to promote the importance of continuing to deliver the best care for our patients whilst also acknowledging the valued contribution of our healthcare support workers.

Staff from Health and Social Services Department’s Vocational Training Centre will be attending a Macmillan Coffee Morning in the Royal Square this Saturday (26 September) from 11am to 1pm. Members of the public are invited attend in order to find out more about the Code and other issues relating to health and social care in Jersey.