• Is the BTEC Professional Theatre Access training compulsory for healthcare industry personnel?
• Are there any exemptions (e.g. for experienced theatre staff or long-serving health care industry personnel)?
• Is it a qualification for life?
• Where does the training take place?
• Do Healthcare Skills Training offer any other courses?

• Is the BTEC Professional Theatre Access training compulsory for healthcare industry personnel?

No. However, the Theatre Access training fulfills a legal management requirement which companies have for their staff who access and work in clinical areas.

‘Anyone who is invited into Hospitals or areas of clinical care in an advisory capacity is bound by the same legal and ethical obligations as those employed by the Hospital.’ (NHS Code of Practice: Confidentiality version 3.0, 28.7.03)

Furthermore, AfPP (incorporating NATN) views the Theatre Skills Award as a valuable safeguard for its members. Gaining the Award provides theatre managers and staff with objective evidence of your competence which means that they can be more confident that they are managing risks effectively and working within the framework of clinical governance.

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• Are there any exemptions (e.g. for experienced theatre staff or long-serving health care industry personnel)?

Healthcare Skills Training Ltd will make provision for experienced personnel to attend the one-day programme so that they can have a brief update on some key issues then sit the examination and undergo the practical assessments which lead to qualification. We will not, though, issue a certificate without the individual having completed the assessment process.

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• Is it a qualification for life?

No. Healthcare Skills Training Ltd issue the certificate and photo-ID card. This photo-ID expires two years from date of issue. At that stage, HST Ltd offer a recertification programme which is similar to the original course and confirms that you meet the standards currently required to work in hospital clinical areas. If your company prefers, more frequent refresher training and re-certification can be arranged. There is also an on-line Learning Management System which offers a route to reaccreditation.

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• Where does the training take place?

Healthcare Skills Training Ltd is located in Clydebank near Glasgow, but can deliver the training to match your needs almost anywhere you wish. We utilise operating theatres and classroom facilities to facilitate the 'Theatre Access' courses, and have successfully completed courses in several UK, Europe and Middle East healthcare facilities. The reacreditation programme is currently delivered in Clydebank and Leeds

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• Do Theatre Skills Training offer any other courses?

Yes. Healthcare Skills Training offer a range of programmes to suit individual companies' needs. These may be for your own staff (e.g. additional input into basic training, sales conferences, sales management, marketing, etc.) or for your customers (e.g. product training and extended in-service facilities, including use of our theatres). Please contact us to discuss your needs.

If your people or your customers need specialist and practical training in the detailed aspects of any surgical speciality, please contact us. We would be delighted to help.

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