The Role of the Nursing Associate in the Surgical Care Team

The aim of this position statement by the PCC is to set out the principles and guidance relating to both the Nursing Associate (NA) scope of practice and their role within perioperative care. The NA will bridge the gap between the Registered Nurse (RN) and Perioperative Healthcare Assistant (PHCA), contributing to integrated care. Both employers and registered practitioners are required to ensure that patient safety is paramount. This should be a primary consideration when delegating roles to an NA, which should also comply with the regulatory standards. (NMC, 2018: Para 11; HCPC, 2016: Para 4). This Position Statement therefore outlines the principles of best practice in supporting the practice of the NA within the perioperative team. The PCC advocates that these principles should be acknowledged and recognised by all registered practitioners and adopted by all employing organisations, in line with local frameworks for clinical governance.