As nurses extend their roles into ever widening areas, HCAs are also being asked to expand the range of tasks that they undertake. This has led to HCAs working across a diverse range of practice areas under an often confusing number of job titles. This trend is unlikely to change as the NHS Plan encourages organisations to think creatively and flexibly about how they deliver patient care.

The role of HCAs: still a grey area
With as many as one million HCAs working across the NHS and beyond, this important conference builds on the immense success of last year’s event and explores ways of unlocking the potential that these vital members of the workforce represent. While the use of HCAs is long established, they still remain unregulated and unregistered. This puts them in a grey area, where the lack of any standard scope of practice or clear understanding of accountability often presents risks for HCAs and the organisations employing them.

Everything you need to know about HCA development
Whilst awaiting the critical government guidance on regulation, Nursing Times is holding this unique conference, which provides a timely opportunity for the professional community to debate all the key issues including:
· Regulation and registration
· The Knowledge and Skills Framework & Agenda for Change
· Accountability
· Training and development