Championing The Role Of The Clinical Facilitator
6 May 2011
Clinical Facilitators support and teach nurses and healthcare assistants on hospital wards.
Their [Clinical Facilitators] role is vital - it changes the 'sitting with Nellie' concept to real teaching and learning for nurses
”Dr Bill Whitehead, Programme Leader PG Cert in Interprofessional Practice Education.
Every NHS trust should have clinical facilitators on their payroll to boost staff education, morale and enhance patient care, according to a new study.
That is the finding of research conducted by Bill Whitehead, Programme Leader PG Cert in Interprofessional Practice Education at the University of Derby, as part of his doctorate entitled: "An investigation into the effects of clinical facilitator nurses on medical wards."
Dr Whitehead argues such roles are critical especially in the current climate of uncertainty within the NHS.
Clinical facilitators emerged on our wards in the UK at the turn of the 21st century. Previously there were ward sisters, clinical teachers and lecturers who taught nurses and other health professionals the ropes on the wards.
Dr Whitehead said: "Clinical facilitators are employed by care providers such as NHS Trusts rather than educational institutions such as universities. Their role is to support and teach nurses and healthcare assistants on hospital wards.
"They are seen as supportive and this helps to encourage recruitment and retention of staff which leads to improved nurse to patient ratios and better patient outcomes. Clinical Facilitators endeavour to positively contribute to the professional development of our nursing colleagues.
"The potential benefits of clinical facilitation include increased levels of staff morale, effective change management, improved quality of patient care, an empowered nursing profession and a positive impact upon recruitment and retention."
As part of his qualitative research interviewing newly qualified nurses and final year students, Dr Whitehead found that these groups feel clinical facilitators help others to improve their skills and ultimately improving the quality of patient care. They also manage learning, champion clinical skills and prioritise education in the clinical area.
Dr Whitehead said: "Their role is vital - it changes the 'sitting with Nellie' concept to real teaching and learning for nurses. Not only that, but such posts are relatively inexpensive and highly productive, providing real education in the clinical area and also encouraging student recruitment and retention."
As well as the call for clinical facilitators to appear in every trust, Dr Whitehead says their job descriptions should be clearly defined, and to effect real change and empowerment on the wards, they need to be part of a team with a supportive management and ideally have an entirely clinically educational responsibility.
Dr Whitehead concluded: "Ideally, the Department of Health and the professional regulator should recommend or stipulate the use of clinical facilitators in every trust.
"If this took place there would be no fear of being redeployed back into the direct-care workforce during times of financial pressure. This would enable an even more secure position for these valuable staff and encourage other equally highly qualified staff to join their ranks."
For more information contact Deputy Head of Corporate Relations Simon Redfern on 01332 591942 or 07748 920038 or email s.redfern@derby.ac.uk
