Home Care Training

What does the Newdays Pharmacy training programme include?

When you come to the Newdays Pharmacy training hub, you’ll find that we offer an extensive and comprehensive programme that includes first aid, infection prevention and control, moving and handling (practical and theory), medication, falls management, dementia, risk assessments, choking risks and general care, among other topics.

We strive to ensure that our training programme is constantly updated so that our trainees are kept fully up to date with changes in care delivery and how the sector is changing and evolving. We also encourage our carers to consider undertaking further training once they’ve completed our course, particularly if they’re keen to pursue a career in a specialist field.

The benefits of carer training

There are all sorts of benefits associated with undertaking carer training, even after you’re fully qualified. For example, you can grow in confidence in your chosen career and develop your ability to engage with your clients, communicating and interacting with them more effectively.

This is particularly important for issues such as medication management where communication is absolutely key with both patients and healthcare professionals, as well as identifying and interpreting changes in behaviour, all of which can reduce hospital admissions and poorer health outcomes.

Good training should equip you with everything you need to have important and potentially difficult discussions with your clients, including topics such as what level of care and treatment they’d like to receive at the end of their lives.

Training Courses Available at Newdays Pharmacy

Our home care training programme is designed to meet the needs of both new and experienced care professionals. Courses can be taken individually or as part of the full 12-week care certificate programme.

Care Certificate Programme (12 weeks) The full care certificate programme is designed for those who are new to working in care or have no prior experience. It covers all the competencies required by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and, upon completion, awards you with your care certificate; the recognised qualification for professional employment as a carer in the UK. The programme covers all core topics listed below and includes both theory and practical assessments.

First Aid A comprehensive introduction to first aid in a care setting, covering how to respond to medical emergencies including cardiac arrest, choking, falls, loss of consciousness and anaphylaxis. Both theory and practical elements are included.

Infection Prevention and Control
Covers best practices for preventing the spread of infection in a care environment, including hand hygiene, the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe disposal of waste, and managing outbreaks of infectious illness.

Moving and Handling (Theory and Practical)
Covers safe techniques for moving and repositioning patients to prevent injury to both the carer and the person being cared for. Practical training includes the correct use of slide sheets, hoists, slings, banana boards and transfer belts.

Medication Management
Covers the safe handling, administration and recording of medication in a care setting, including understanding prescription labels, recognising side effects, managing controlled drugs and communicating effectively with healthcare professionals about medication changes.

Falls Management
Training on how to assess, prevent and manage falls in a care setting, including understanding risk factors, conducting falls risk assessments, responding safely when a fall occurs and documenting incidents correctly.

Dementia Awareness
An introduction to dementia, covering the different types, how the condition progresses, how to communicate effectively with people living with dementia and how to deliver person-centred care that supports dignity and wellbeing.

Choking Risks and General Care
Covers how to identify and manage choking risks in a care environment, including safe feeding practices, recognising high-risk individuals and responding to a choking emergency. General care practices including personal hygiene, skin care and comfort are also covered.

Risk Assessments
Training on how to carry out and document risk assessments in a care setting, covering environmental hazards, individual patient risk factors and how to implement and review care plans to minimise risk.

• New carers; with no prior experience looking to gain their care certificate and enter professional employment

• Experienced carers; seeking refresher training or CPD (continuing professional development) to keep their skills current

• Care home staff; and residential care teams looking to meet CQC inspection requirements

• Home care agencies; wanting to upskill their workforce with structured, accredited training

• Family members and informal carers; who provide care for a loved one at home and want to build confidence and practical skills

• Healthcare support workers; in community, hospital or residential settings