£60m training boost for NHS staff
Health secretary Patricia Hewitt today announced £60 million to fund training for NHS staff with no professional qualifications.
Calling the 223,000 healthcare assistants (HCAs) in the NHS an “army of unsung heroes”, Ms Hewitt said it was important “hard working, caring and bright” people be able to fulfil their potential.
“If you’ve found your inspiration and application later in life then the NHS wants to support you,” she said.
Ms Hewitt also paid tribute to the work of NHS staff in the wake of the London bombings on July 7th, saying: “If you were one of the hundreds of staff who treated patients, you should feel proud of what you personally did.
“But even if you weren’t you should feel proud, as I do, to be part of an NHS that can rise to the challenge of such a terrible outrage and bring wonderful care to so many people in such difficult circumstances.”
