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The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has become the second UK Overseas Territory to introduce a Care Certificate programme to enhance and unify healthcare services for unregulated healthcare workers.
Discussions about launching this programme started two years ago to ensure all healthcare workers demonstrate the same compassion, skills, and care standards when interacting with patients.
The programme, aligned with UK Health Security Agency standards and tailored for the BVI, reflects those of the National Health Service.
Chief Nursing Officer, Ms. Jascinth Hannibal, announced that the first cohort consists of 20 workers from the BVIHSA and social services. They will be trained on 15 essential care standards to improve service quality.
“This initiative establishes a requirement for all unregulated healthcare professionals to complete the programme before working in the field,” Ms. Hannibal explained.
The training will focus on critical topics, including duty of care, safeguarding, mental health awareness, infection control, and more. It incorporates the 6 Cs of Care: Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment.
The four-month programme combines in-person learning, online WebEx sessions, reading, and on-the-job training. Participants will apply their skills at work, where managers, acting as assessors, will evaluate their progress weekly.
Ms. Hannibal expressed hope that the programme will foster consistent, high-quality care throughout the community and hospitals, improving services for the people of the Territory.
Face-to-face sessions for the course begin on January 27, underscoring the Ministry of Health and Social Development’s commitment to enhancing healthcare in the Virgin Islands.
Source: BVI GIS.
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