The Department of Health and Social Care and Skills for Care, working closely with our sector partners, have recently published voluntary guiding principles to support person-centred, safe and effective delegation of healthcare activities to care colleagues.

A delegated healthcare activity involves regulated healthcare professionals, including nurses, nursing associates or occupational therapists, delegating actions, often of a clinical nature, to paid care colleagues. These activities can include helping a person to manage their insulin administration, attending to wound care and overseeing mental health support.

Delegations of this nature have been happening for several years. The principles build on this work and can be adapted locally to complement existing best practice. Care colleagues are encouraged to review and adopt them in all eligible care settings in England.