Healthcare NOS
Background
There are 95 National Occupational Standards (NOS) within the scope of this review, describing a wide range of functions carried out by healthcare roles across the UK. Notably, these NOS are used to underpin and inform occupational competence qualifications and apprenticeships for Healthcare Support Workers across the UK.
In Scotland these NOS are used to create units in the four SVQs in Healthcare Support and there is an imperative to ensure that these health NOS are fit for purpose for use as qualification units.
The need
These health NOS were last updated in 2020.
In a separate project led by the Scottish Social Services Council, the Health and Social Care (HSC) NOS are currently in review and will reflect the most up to date practices and language in the sector. The 95 Healthcare NOS will now be reviewed to ensure that that they continue to reflect the most up to date practices and language.
The following NOS will be reviewed as part of this project:
| NOS Suite | Number Being Reviewed |
|---|---|
| Children and Young People’s Health Services (CS) | 1 |
| Clinical Health Skills (CHS) | 42 |
| Diabetes (Diab) | 1 |
| Emergency, Urgent and Scheduled Care (EUS) | 1 |
| Endoscopy (3) | 3 |
| General Healthcare (GEN) | 29 |
| Health Informatics (HI) | 2 |
| Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) | 2 |
| Perioperative Care Support (PCS) | 14 |
| Total | 95 |
Next steps
This project is governed by a UK-wide Steering Group, along with smaller Working Groups which provide sector specific advice and guidance on the content of the NOS.
To ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to contribute feedback and input to the final versions of the NOS, Skills for Health will conduct a public consultation in Winter of 2025.
If you would like to register interest in taking part in this consultation, please complete the below form.
If you have any immediate questions, please contact competences@skillsforhealth.org.uk.