TALENTED staff at the county's hospitals have been recognised at a special awards ceremony.

Twenty-eight healthcare assistants from Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Kidderminster Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch have received certificates for becoming senior healthcare assistants.

They have been receiving training as part of a clinical skills programme since March 2005 and now have knowledge and skills to carry out tasks and responsibilities that traditionally have been carried out by trained nurses.

The ceremony was attended by Rachel Overfield, director of nursing; Jane Smith and Michelle Norton, deputy directors of nursing; Carol Close, vocational training manager, as well as matrons from across the trust together with all contributors to the courses.

Sally Anne Simpson, senior healthcare assistant clinical skills facilitator, said: "All the senior healthcare assistants receiving their certificates have been enthusiastic, worked hard and acted professionally throughout their development. It is only fitting that they receive credit for their perseverance."

Colleague Brenda Smith, who is the theatre training practitioner, said: "It is wonderful not only to see them gain skills but also to see the way they have grown as individuals, and they deserve to be acknowledged."

Last year a second programme to train healthcare assistants to scrub' in the obstetric theatres was added to the clinical skills programme. The two programmes run in parallel and use NVQ units and awards.

The trust believes these programmes provide an important opportunity for healthcare assistants to develop all the way through to nurse training or operating department practitioners if they want to.

To date, 66 healthcare assistants have accessed the ward programme and eight the theatre programme.

This month saw the first of what managers hope will be many award ceremonies.