The changing role of the healthcare assistant.
BACKGROUND
This article analyses the changes made to the role of the healthcare assistant (HCA) in the British healthcare system and identifies when and why these changes occurred. The main influences on the role of HCAs, from the time of Florence Nightingale through to the present day, are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
The role of the HCA has progressed from being an undervalued 'dead-end' job, to a skilled role that is recognised nationwide. However, the future of the HCA role is uncertain.
Stokes
Jennifer
J
the Royal Marsden Hospital, Surrey. jennifer.stokes@rmh.nthames.nhs.uk
Warden
Amy
A
D002983:Clinical Competence; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000193:education / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends*; D010560:Personnel Selection; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom