This unit introduces learners to the foundational concepts of the nursing assistant role. It explores the core responsibilities, scope of practice, and professional boundaries within the UK healthcare system. Learners will gain an understanding of how nursing assistants support the delivery of person-centred care, work under supervision, and contribute to multidisciplinary healthcare teams in a range of clinical environments.

This unit equips learners with essential knowledge of health and safety principles as they apply in healthcare settings. It covers the relevant UK legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and helps learners identify common workplace hazards and risk control measures. Learners will also understand their responsibility in maintaining a safe environment for patients, staff, and themselves.

Maintaining hygiene is critical in the prevention of infection and in upholding patient dignity. This unit focuses on the importance of personal hygiene for both staff and patients, including hand hygiene techniques, grooming, oral care, and bed-making procedures. Learners will also be taught about cross-contamination risks and how to manage hygiene in accordance with UK healthcare standards.

This unit develops learners’ understanding of key legal, ethical, and professional standards in nursing practice. It covers topics such as consent, confidentiality, duty of care, the Human Rights Act, and professional codes of conduct. Learners will also examine safeguarding principles, whistleblowing procedures, and the ethical challenges they may face in the delivery of care.

Effective communication is essential to delivering safe and compassionate care. This unit trains learners to use verbal, non-verbal, and written communication effectively, adapting their approach to meet the needs of different patients. It also focuses on active listening, empathy, handling sensitive conversations, and maintaining clear communication with colleagues and other healthcare professionals.

This unit covers infection prevention and control (IPC) in alignment with NHS and UK Infection Control guidance. Learners will explore the chain of infection, universal precautions, proper hand hygiene, PPE usage, and environmental cleanliness. They will also examine strategies to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and support the safety of vulnerable patients.

This unit explores how nursing assistants support patient mobility and prevent complications related to immobility. Learners will understand how to safely assist with movement, transfers, and the use of mobility aids. The unit also covers the prevention of pressure ulcers, muscle atrophy, and deep vein thrombosis through regular positioning and active support.

Good rest and sleep are vital to recovery and well-being. This unit teaches learners how to create a comfortable and calming environment to promote restful sleep. Topics include sleep hygiene, managing disturbances, supporting patients with insomnia or anxiety, and the impact of hospital environments on patient rest.

This unit focuses on supporting patients with toileting, bowel and bladder care, and catheter management. Learners will understand how to maintain dignity, privacy, and infection control while assisting with elimination. They will also learn to observe for signs of abnormal function and report findings appropriately.

In this unit, learners are introduced to the safe handling, storage, and administration of medication under supervision. They will learn about different forms of medication, routes of administration, and the “Five Rights” of medication safety. The unit also covers documentation procedures and how to support patients in taking their medication safely.

This unit provides an overview of how the immune system protects the body and what happens when it is compromised. Learners will explore common immune conditions, infection susceptibility, and how to provide supportive care to patients with weakened immune responses, including isolation and enhanced hygiene measures.

Learners will gain practical knowledge of how to support patient nutrition, including meal planning, feeding assistance, and monitoring dietary intake. The unit highlights the role of nutrition in healing and well-being and trains learners to identify signs of malnutrition, support specialised diets, and record food/fluid intake accurately.

Learners will gain an understanding of how to recognise and respond to different types of pain experienced by patients. This includes acute, chronic, and procedural pain. They will explore both verbal and non-verbal indicators of pain and will learn to assist in non-pharmacological comfort measures and accurate pain documentation.

Maintaining proper hydration and electrolyte levels is crucial in patient care. This unit teaches learners how to monitor fluid intake and output, recognise signs of dehydration or fluid overload, and understand the basic principles of fluid and electrolyte balance. It also includes the use of charts and observational tools in clinical settings.