To expect a doctor or a nurse to fit my contraceptive implant

[Dalaidramailama]

And not a healthcare assistant?

Usually when I get my implant removed and a new one inserted I have a GP and a nurse who do this for me at my practice.

I would be happy for a nurse to do this, but I am uncomfortable with a healthcare assistant doing minor surgery on me, AIBU?

The HCA at my GPs was a student nurse, she'd had to take time out from uni and then transferred to a different uni so she worked for the GP for the rest of the academic year and still does some shifts.

I've had flu vaccines given by pharmacists.

If someone is trained to do something and they keep up that training then that is all they need.

When I worked in Oxford the resus coordinator went to teach resus to factory workers at the Cowley plant.

My aunt was a nurse and worked in a Rolls Royce factory, she also taught first aiders (actually she still does via the red cross).

They will have had training in order to complete the procedure, and be covered by the liability of the service. Having a PIN doesn't equate to competency. For example, as a HCA I was trained in venipuncture and cannulation, in a trust I went to during my training, registered nurses weren't trained in them, junior drs performed them. I as a band 3 HCA was more competent than the nurses in that area. A PIN made no difference.

Thats the thing - they probably haven’t had the right training, as the FSRH doesn’t recognise it for HCAs so they won’t be covered under a professional indemnity scheme.

And you’re missing the point re having a PIN - it’s nothing to do with competencies and all about registration, code of conduct, accountability and professional standards.

@Sidge

Agreed. She is a HCA I’ve checked the website. I’m not “judging” anybody. I am making informed choices with my own health at a time when GP surgeries are strapped for cash trying to balance the books. A lot of you might be happy to cut corners with your health or play a game of chance and that’s absolutely fine. Guess that’s what private healthcare is also for. Informed choices.

HCA might be wonderful
HCA might be adequately trained
HCA might be a student nurse
HCA might be a retired nurse
HCA might be a band 4 AP with a pin
HCA might be a being exploited and not that competent after all

I am sorry but I don’t like all these “mights”. It’s also worth adding that a nurse practitioner or a GP might be a bit crap at putting an implant in but I would still rather choose the latter. I’ve had numerous ones fitted by healthcare professionals and it has all be fine.

Yes @Sidge the pin is about personal accountability and ethics etc, not just a general practice insurance.