The role, responsibilities and educational needs of the non-nurse carer

Non-nurse carers have been a feature of the British health-care system for many years. Changes in the health service, including the loss of nurses from the workforce, have led to the increased use of non-nurse carers being advocated. However, if they are to be employed effectively, issues relating to their role, responsibilities and educational needs must be carefully addressed. This article examines literature on the contribution of non-nurse carers to the nursing profession in acute and primary care settings and the attitudes of qualified nursing staff, and highlights attempts to define the role and its requirements.