The suitability of current education and training for a shift from acute to community

There is a need to assess what workforce is needed to provide more care in the community, and what education and training they need. Even if this assessment happens now and translates into policy, supply from education/training may not keep pace with new community roles. Nurses typically undertake pre-registration education for three years with mostly hospital placements, and then work in hospital for some time (and/or undertake specialist training) before considering a post in the community. Thus there is a time lag of at least five years and usually longer between providing new pre-registration places to working in the community. A related idea is the lack of specific curricula for the care of older people.

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.