HCAs provide a valuable service in primary care, supporting nurse and GP colleagues to ensure that people living with long-term conditions have the information they need, in order to achieve the best outcomes.  These 2 half day sessions address the ‘need to know’ elements for a range of areas covered by health care assistants at all levels.

CVD and Lifestyle

• Overview of the basic path of CVD
• Current approach to dietary advice
• Physical activity
• Smoking cessation
• Alcohol
• Top tips on motivational interviewing

  Blood Pressure

• Measuring and managing
• Correct technique
• Appropriate environment
• How high is too high?
• Who needs treating?
  
  

Introduction to diabetes

• Different types
• Lifestyle management
• Blood pressure & lipids: why are they important
• Vascular screening

Introduction to motivational interviewing and behavioural change

• Helping people change
• Rolling with resistance
• Person-centred care
• Using behavioural change in practice

Asthma for HCAs

• What is it?
• How is it diagnosed?
• How do we treat it?
• Assessing control
• The importance of inhaler technique

COPD

• What is it?
• How is it diagnosed?
• How do we treat it?
• The impact of COPD on quality of life
• The importance of inhaler technique

Tests

• Why we do them and what they tell us
• Respiratory function tests
• Tests used in diabetes
• Urine tests