Delegated healthcare activities in action

We look at how delegated healthcare activities are being carried out across different regions.

Delegated healthcare activities allow care workers to take on tasks that, with consent and support, have been delegated by a regulated healthcare professional. This can include activities such as catheter care or insulin administration. Safe, effective and appropriate delegation gives people more choice and control over their care and supports better overall health and wellbeing.

The Skills for Care Delegated Healthcare Activities Guiding Principles can help guide effective delegation of healthcare activities.

Our team recently ran some regional roadshow events where we found out more about how delegated healthcare activities are being carried out across different regions and we’ve put together some videos of our key insights across the different principles.

Principle one: Person-centred care

We heard from people drawing on support and care workers about how delegation allowed for more flexibility and freedom for people drawing on care. One individual employer told us that having his personal assistants conducting tasks rather than being reliant on district nurses allowed him more flexibility to live his life how he wanted. We also heard how delegated healthcare activities have supported individuals to live in their preferred choice of home for longer with more of their care needs being able to be met by their carers there. We also heard how delegation of tasks means fewer different people providing care, and continuity of care was highlighted as a key advantage of delegation.

Principle two: Governance, regulation and accountability

We heard from care providers that governance and regulation is one of the most common challenges people are facing when it comes to delegated healthcare activities. The importance of engagement and buy-in at a senior management level was identified as being really important, alongside clear guidance.

Principle three: Learning development, skills and competency

We heard that care staff are keen to learn more and do more around delegated healthcare activities. Care providers highlighted the importance of effective training and those who have experienced successful training have praised good local partnerships and working relationships with the district nursing team. In some cases, district nurses also act as mentors. Peer support networks, including Skills for Care’s network were also praised as a helpful tool. People also touched on how delegated healthcare activities can support with care staff progression into roles such as nursing or occupational therapy.

Principle four: Monitoring review

We heard about the importance of ongoing monitoring of how delegation was working - tracking successes and lesson learned. Care providers regularly speak with both staff and people drawing on support to understand how delegated healthcare activities are supporting them and if everyone is happy with the process.

The experiences we heard of from the roadshow really showcase that delegated healthcare activities are not a one size fits all approach. Different approaches can work across different regions and settings, but all with the same goal of improving outcomes for those who draw on care and support.

Watch the videos and find out more about delegated healthcare activities.

Learn more about integrated ways of working across health and social care.

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