This collection of resources is aimed at support workers who are starting work in healthcare in Scotland. It may also be useful as a reference for more experienced healthcare support workers.
Introduction to Health and Social Care
This collection of introductory resources is aimed at support workers who are starting work in health and social care in Scotland. They are intended to support those who have little or no previous experience working in the health and social care sector; however, they may also be useful as a reference for more experienced healthcare support workers who wish to enhance their learning and existing knowledge and skills.
The modules and resources below are designed to be accessed according to your own learning needs. Although the topics are related, they do not follow on from one another and can be completed singularly or in any order. Some sections of modules may be more relevant to specific work areas or roles; for example, Bed Making, which may be more appropriate to support workers based in a hospital ward setting.
Please note: throughout the eLearning modules you will see the term ‘patient’, ‘client', or ‘resident’ rather than ‘person’. This is to avoid ambiguity and maintain consistency with referenced information. Learners should be aware, however, that patients, clients and residents receive individualised, person-centred care, and this concept is also addressed throughout the modules.
Practical skills
These eLearning modules explain some of the routine processes that underpin the healthcare support worker role, with the aim of supporting new workers to develop their skill and confidence. The modules can be completed and reviewed as required.
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If you do not have a Turas account, you can sign up for one.
Non-technical skills
You can support your development by accessing the resources below on a range of non-technical skills.
Equality, diversity and cultural humility
Infection prevention and control (IPC)
- IPC Zone
- Preventing infection in social care setting
- Pressure ulcer prevention and management
Person-centred Care
- Person-centred care guidance (NES site)
- A range of resources on the Turas Person-centred Care Zone
Trauma-informed practice
- Trauma-informed practice: toolkit (Scottish Government)
Communication
- Communicating with and supporting people: information for support workers in health and care settings (NES learning pack)
- Communication and relationships (SSSC)
- How to use an SBAR (NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement)
Healthcare support worker codes and delegation
Dementia
- NES dementia videos: informed practice level (provide the baseline knowledge and skills required by all staff working in health and social care settings)
Delirium
- Introduction to Delirium (NES eLearning)
- Delirium: prevention, management and support (NES eLearning)
Patient safety
- Essentials of safe care (Healthcare Improvement Scotland)
- A range of resources on the Turas Learn Patient Safety Zone
End of life and decisions regarding CPR
- Palliative and end of life resources (SSSC)
- Palliative and end of life care: enriching and improving experience (NES and SSSC eLearning)
- CPR decisions (NES Support Around Death website)
Reflective practice
- Effective reflective practice module (NES Effective Practitioner resource)
Human factors
- An introduction to human factors (video from Healthcare Improvement Scotland)
Team working
Numeracy
- Help with numbers page on Skills for Learning at Work
Record Keeping
- Keeping a record of care (NES)
Digital Skills