A study of the conceptions of management: implementation of support worker training. Who is accountable?

Abstract

In the late 1980s, the Government accepted the changes in nurse education demanded by nurses through their statutory bodies, such as United Kingdom Central Council and the English National Board by implementing Project 2000. Coincidentally, the 1980's saw increased Government involvement in the management of the public sector. The Conservative administration, first elected in 1979, has proved to be probably the most radical of the century. It perceived the public sector as inefficient in its use of scarce resources and was determined to address the problem.
Initial emphasis appeared to be that the government with the acceptance of Project 2000, was determined to tackle the problem of shortfall in 18 year. olds available for the job market and particularly for nurse training. The review of NHS was launched by Mrs. Thatcher as a result of a public outcry about the shortage of specialised children's nurses in Birmingham. This presented the government with a unique opportunity by approving the implementation of Project 2000 in stages, it would ultimately achieve complete central control of the nurse workforce.
The NHS had suffered from the financial policies of successive governments and its managerial effectiveness was suspect. Forecast environmental changes indicated that both would deteriorate unless governmental action was taken. The radical action taken by the government is still ongoing and continues to cause public concern. This thesis refers to the perception of professionally qualified nurses towards the Health Care Support Workers within the North West region, and compares and
contrasts two different district health authorities' attitudes towards management and the implementation of support workers' training.
It outlines the change in the strategies adopted by the government and, through the use of selected reference in the fields of organisation and strategic change, considers whether the means chosen were appropriate.
It considers the introduction of Health Care Support Workers' educational objectives, professional competence and vocational training, various resource issues and demonstrates how styles of management have influenced the implementation and its effect on patient care.