Health and Social Care Education: what needs to change? Live Web chat, Friday 17 May, 12-2pm

[Jill Anderson]

The inquiry into the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of patients at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust earlier this year, has left an unsettling nervousness around patient safety in the NHS.

Between 400 and 1,200 patients are believed to have died between January 2005 and March 2009 as a result of poor care at the hospital. In response, a report by Robert Francis QC proposed 290 recommendations to improve patient safety and care, and combat what he labelled a "culture of secrecy and defensiveness".

One of those recommendations will see nursing students working up to one year as a healthcare assistant before their training to gain hands-on caring experience. According to health secretary Jeremy Hunt, these "caring values need to be equal with academic training" to equip students to "do the job properly".

Many have criticised this proposal, suggesting there will be an unwanted blurring of roles between nurses and healthcare assistants. Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal Co..., saying students already spend over 50% of their time in clinical areas, that the idea will not benefit patients and only waste taxpayers money.

As the health sector evolves and diversifies so does health education. Learning and teaching is now delivered in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics and the community, and using a range of techniques that aim to improve clinical practice through an understanding of the 'human factors' that effect it. But what do these changes mean for students and how are new pressures impacting the taught health and social care curriculum in higher and further education?

Along with our panel of experts, we will be addressing these questions and discussing some of the innovative teaching techniques currently being introduced to institutions and their effect on patient care. Join our live chat on Friday 17 May from 12-2pm BST, in partnership with HEA, to debate the changing landscape of health and social care and the role of higher education in preparing students for it.

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