NETB/2024/1 competency framework for staff working within decontamination

Response

I think that would apply to most competency frameworks. However, if staff undertake the apprenticeship this is a competency based programme and the apprentices are required to learn the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to undertake their roles. This is assessed at the end of the course by an End Point Assessment where an independent decontamination professional will come onto site and check competencies. This will give some standardisation.

Response

We acknowledge there has been a difficult period but we have overcome the challenges and are fully focused in looking to the future and finding innovative ways of ensuring that we get our staff trained and competent It is essential that we learn to share knowledge with each other and adopting processes that have been implemented by other managers that has been successful in achieving the changes required. The IDSc branch meetings are an excellent opportunity to share knowledge and experience as well as education.

Response

I would suggest that you contact IHEEM or one of the authorising engineers (decontamination) and they may be able to provide advice on this matter.

Response

The IDSc is working with the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) and they will be the ones that hold and maintain the register as they do with many other HCS professions, so I do not see that as a difficulty. From about 2018 we already have two directories (Technical Certificate and Chartered Members) which are held by the AHCS and we have an established mechanism in place to keep this updated.

Response

This must be decided. I would hope that Notified Bodies will look at this as part of the training compliance in ISO 13485.

Response

This was addressed in the HSIB report and recommendations were made in ensuring assurance of all decontamination facilities were either with the MHRA or CQC. However, the recommendation and actions from the report are not mandatory and to date there has been no action on these recommendations.

I will be following this up in 2025 as I have had confirmation from HSSIB that they have no statutory requirement under the Health and Social Care Act to follow up the completion of actions Therefore one of my actions is to contact the MHRA and CQC in regard to the policing of decontamination in regard to the NETB/2024/1 and non certified decontamination units.

Response

I accept that this is the case in some HCS fields. There has to be a starting point and to match exactly with what has been stated above would not be deliverable for many years. We do not even have a BSc available yet, but are working hard to have a first intake for September 2025. I do not think this will be the end of the requirements for decontamination and would expect a review in 10 years’ time when the MSc and PhD may be available and may become the requirement.

Response

I totally agree. There is strong evidence that trained and competent staff will have better job satisfaction, will carry out their duties whilst understanding why the tasks have to be carried out in a certain manner. There is also evidence that staff retention improves and we know there is a staff shortage and we have to train nearly all recruits. Our next challenge is to promote the career route to encourage personnel to work towards management. This should lead to a committed, highly trained and competent workforce.

Response

This is an area that could be explored further and we will take forward. We could see some significant benefits.

Response

Yes, the decontamination lead role is defined in the various HTMs and Health and Social Care Act.

Response

We spoke with NHSE about the inclusion in the HTM and about the need to review the HTMs. There were two points raised.

To work to a tight timeline, it had been agreed it would be developed as a Technical Bulletin, which you will note it states should be read in conjunction with the HTMs.

NHSE do not have the resource to review the HTMs at this time and therefore the Technical Bulletin would not have been issued until a review of the HTMs would have been completed which would have been at least five years if not more.

Response

I appreciate how difficult it is to implement change; however, I am hearing of managers that have achieved the implementation of the changes required and it has not always been with the requirement of significant additional costs. The apprenticeships in England are free, so there is no cost. Although there is a requirement for them to have a recorded 20% off job training, this is not as difficult to achieve as most managers believe it to be. Regarding the Technical Certificate an average department will only have 2 people on it at a time so it is not a significant investment required. The NETB/2024/1 allows you to use it as a tool to go to the Learning &Development department in your organisation and get an allocation of money for this. All other healthcare staff have access to this pot of money and now you have a Technical Bulletin to support your requests, it should be easier to access.

Response

Yes, I totally agree with the statement. There have been too many years where we have sat alongside our fellow HCS colleagues and in many people’s views we were still the unqualified. The NETB /2024/1 now puts us at the same standing as our colleagues and will push forward acceptance as a professional service and the significant contribution we make to patient safety.

Response

The IDSc has for many years worked hard to provide education and training for decontamination science staff, this has included the TVQ, NVQ and since 2011 the Technical Certificate.

One of its roles has always been accepted at the organisation to set the qualifications for the roles in decontamination management.

The IDSc was asked to work with the apprenticeship trailblazers programme to develop the course content for the apprentice assistant and associate.

Response

Senior roles within decontamination, the IDSc hopes, will have an apprenticeship practitioner level 6 (BSc) available from September 2025 with a university that we are currently working with, who already deliver this level of apprenticeship for other healthcare science staff. If competencies are required for higher levels than in the Technical Bulletin, then please feedback.

Response

Having undertaken many End Point Assessments for the apprenticeship the age has been wide ranging. This also applies to the Technical Certificate. It is the desire to learn by the person and our role is to encourage the full range of age and experience to undertake the training courses.

Response

For this to be effective this should be a phased implementation. If too many of the department’s staff are on these training courses, then it would be detrimental to the students as they would not be able to have the required mentorship and support. However, that is not to stop staff at various levels on a course at the same time and a plan developed so that it becomes a rolling programme.

Response

Frustratingly the short answer is no. The HSIB which is now rebranded as HSSIB is an arm’s length body of the Department of Health and Social Care and operate under the Health and Care Act 2022. However, the Act does not require them to track recommendations through to completion. This has been recognised as a gap in the system and they are trying to address the situation by working with national bodies, but as the report was issued when they were HSIB any changes will only apply to those that were undertaken when the investigated under the new name HSSIB.