As the Sector Skills Council for Health, @SkillsforHealth are responsibile for developing and maintaining a nationally recognised level of competences for healthcare occupations across the UK - the National Occupational Standards (NOS).

The national healthcare awards dedicated to shining a light on support workers, Our Health Heroes, is back! And this year hundreds of nominations are expected, both from staff and the public, as we recognise the herculean efforts of our NHS and social care people in 2020.

A report released today, 2nd September, by Skills for Health confirms that the pandemic has had wider than expected consequences on our NHS and wider health and care workforce which will continue to significantly influence service delivery for some time to come.

The demands on providing effective emergency services are significant. The delivery of Ambulance, Fire and Rescue and Police services is taking place alongside a backdrop of challenges created by public expectations, reduced resources, advances in technology and greater accountability.

@skillsforhealth - The revised Apprenticeship Framework for Clinical Healthcare Support staff has recently been approved by Welsh Government for use in the health sector in Wales.   As the Sector Skills Council for health in Wales, with extensive experience of developing Welsh apprenticeships for the health sector, Skills for Health are proud to have project managed this framework development in partnership with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) and NHS health boards. Its introduction is well-timed as health boards and health employers recruit additional support staff to meet the increasing demands placed on our NHS by Covid-19.