This week, I had the privilege of attending the Care Roadshow in Surrey once again, and it was an incredibly enriching experience. The event brought together industry experts to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing healthcare and social care today, offering valuable insights and forward-thinking solutions. 

 

Here’s a recap of some key sessions and discussions that left a lasting impact: 

 

One of the standout sessions focused on the current state of social care, with particular attention to workforce challenges and the need for skills development. The session referenced Skills England’s First Report on growth and the Skills Levy, which highlights the urgent need to close the skills gap in the sector. As the demand for social care services continues to grow, so does the need for a workforce that can adapt to these pressures. 

 

A significant initiative introduced during this session was the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS). This scheme is designed to fund training and development opportunities for the social care workforce, helping to ensure professionals are well-equipped to meet the sector’s evolving needs. 

 

Additionally, the session explored Labour’s Five Missions and how social care reform fits into this policy framework. Labour's plans aim to create a sustainable, equitable social care system by addressing the sector’s foundational issues. A key part of this initiative is the introduction of the Social Care Negotiating Body, which has ambitious goals, including: 

 

Standardizing pay and conditions for care workers 

Improving workforce retention through clear career pathways, standardized benefits, and better working conditions 

Offering professional development and career growth opportunities 

Strengthening collaboration between healthcare and social care providers to support an integrated care system 

These efforts are crucial to addressing the workforce challenges that the social care sector is currently facing, making it more sustainable in the long term. 

 

The session on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) delved into current healthcare regulations and CQC’s evolving role. The speaker covered the five key recommendations from the recent DASH review, outlining CQC’s response, including: 

 

A clearer and more robust assessment system 

Faster registration processes 

Simplified reports for care providers 

A significant focus was on rebuilding trust in the regulatory process, with leadership improvements and updates to the single assessment framework. These changes aim to provide stronger, more reliable ratings for care services, ensuring that providers can continue to deliver high-quality care. The importance of collaboration between the CQC and care providers was also emphasized, particularly as a poor CQC rating can have significant financial implications for care organisations. 

 

In addition to the informative sessions, the Care Roadshow featured several fascinating exhibits from learning providers and consultancy services. One of the highlights for me was learning from Borderless International Recruiting, which shed light on the challenges of recruiting overseas nurses. These insights could greatly inform our future training and support strategies for international healthcare professionals, ensuring they are well-prepared to work in the UK’s healthcare system. 

 

Overall, the Care Roadshow was a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and gain invaluable insights into the future of healthcare and social care. The discussions on workforce development, regulatory improvements, and international recruitment were particularly relevant, offering practical solutions to the challenges we face in the sector. 

 

Special thanks to the incredible speakers, including Vic Rayner OBE and Sarah Hunt, and those inspiring professionals Joyce Kapesa, and Marilyn Rixhon, for their contributions to this event. Their expertise and passion for improving social care made this an inspiring experience. 

 

Attending the Care Roadshow always leaves me motivated and hopeful about the future of the industry, and this year was no different. I look forward to implementing these new ideas and working together with others to create a more sustainable, equitable care system. 

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐒𝐂𝐄 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐍𝐌𝐂 

Safe Sure Care Ltd is pleased to share important news regarding the latest updates to the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) as announced by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). These changes, which aim to enhance clarity and align with current clinical practices, will take effect from Monday, 9 September 2024. Below is an overview of the key updates: 

𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐎𝐒𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 

Responding to feedback from OSCE candidates and OSCE training partners, the NMC has adjusted the time limits for two OSCE exam stations: 

• Fluid Balance: Time extended from 12 to 14 minutes. 

• MSU and Urinalysis: Time increased from 8 to 12 minutes. 

 

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐒𝐂𝐄 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦 

In line with the introduction of a new national Paediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) chart in clinical settings, the OSCE exam will now feature this updated chart. This change ensures that the OSCE test reflects the latest standards in paediatric care. 

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐓 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐒𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 

Significant updates have been made to the Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT) procedures across multiple OSCE specialisations, including Adult, Children’s, Mental Health, and Nursing Associates. The key changes include: 

• 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐬: Now required only in clinically relevant situations. 

• “𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 – 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡”: This requirement has been removed from the ANTT station. 

These revisions are designed to better mirror current clinical practices, which are essential for candidates undergoing OSCE preparation. 

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐒𝐂𝐄 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 

Candidates scheduled to take the OSCE exam on or after 9 September 2024 should study the updated OSCE preparation materials. If your exam is before this date, continue using the existing OSCE resources. 

Additionally, to discourage rote learning, candidates resitting the OSCE may encounter different scenarios to assess previously failed skills. 

These updates highlight the NMC’s commitment to maintaining the OSCE as a robust and effective assessment tool for nursing professionals. Be sure to familiarise yourself with these changes to ensure you are fully prepared for the updated OSCE exam. 

 

.🌍 Are you an international nurse with dreams of practicing in the UK healthcare system? 🏥 Here are the key requirements you need to know to embark on your journey to becoming a UK Nurse: 

 

📚 Educational Qualifications: You'll need to have completed a nursing degree or diploma equivalent to UK standards. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) evaluates international qualifications to ensure they meet the necessary standards. 

 

💉 English Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is essential. You may need to provide evidence of your language proficiency through exams like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET). 

 

🔍 Skills Assessment: Some international nurses may need to undergo a skills assessment. There are two parts to theis assessment:  

i) The CBT exam where nursing knowledge is assessed through multiple choice questions.  

ii) A practical observation known as the OSCE to ensure they meet the specific requirements of the UK healthcare system. This assessment includes a 10 station practical exam. We offer preparation course to help nurses to suceed in this part of the process see our OSCE preparation courses.  

 

💼 Visa Requirements: Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a visa to work in the UK. The type of visa required will vary based on factors such as the duration of your stay and your employment circumstances. Make sure to check the latest immigration regulations. 

 

🤝 Employment Sponsorship: Securing a job offer from a UK healthcare provider is often necessary, as they will typically sponsor your visa application and support your transition to working in the UK..  

 

📋 NMC Registration: The final step once the exams are passed is to apply for registration with the NMC. This involves submitting all required documents, including proof of identity, qualifications, and language proficiency. Once approved, you'll be eligible to practice as a nurse in the UK. 

 

📅 Continuing Professional Development: Once registered, ongoing professional development is essential to maintain your nursing registration in the UK. This involves participating in relevant training, courses, and keeping up-to-date with best practices in nursing. 

 

Navigating the process of becoming a UK nurse as an international applicant can seem daunting, but with the right guidance and support, it's an achievable goal. Remember to stay informed, prepared, and persistent in pursuing your passion for nursing in the UK! 🌟 #NursingCareer #UKNursing #InternationalNurse #HealthcareProfessionals #OSCE #CBT #ILETS