[Margaret Pilkington]

I DO know what you mean Doug......but there are things that these generic care workers (if properly trained and monitored) can do that will leave time for trained medical personnel to do things that only they can do.

We had some very good auxiliary nurses on our unit and we were active in the training and monitoring of their role.......we saw them as more than just people who could deliver basic care needs.....our auxiliary nurses would escort patients to theatre......do basic observations and other similar things.
it motivated them and made them feel more integrated in the team......they were always encouraged to work with a trained member of staff....and were only permitted to do the things that they were comfortable with and trained to do. I know some nurses felt threatened by this.