Purpose In forensic mental health wards, patients spend more time with healthcare assistants (HCAs) than qualified nurses. Despite this, there is no universally utilised standardised HCA training. The purpose of this paper is to assess the HCAs’ experiences in the HCA role in order to better understand how to build on the HCA role to ensure safe practice, and enhance staff well-being. Design/methodology/approach HCAs working on low and medium secure NHS forensic mental health units were recruited through purposive methods. HCAs engaged in a semi-structured interview, with questions surrounding their support needs, clinical decision making and perception of risks in the role. Template analysis was used, applying an a priori template based on the existing literature to interview transcripts. Findings The participants described the HCA experience to be defined by two master themes: “HCA factors” and “organisational factors”. HCAs valued a holistic patient view which prized patients’ experiences. The participants described a lack of role clarity which may be defined through ward expectations and professional experience. Originality/value HCAs seek a holistic view of the patient; however, some overlooked patient offences in order to do their job. Future research should address how looking past offences impacts security and HCAs’ well-being long term.

中文翻译：

---

医护人员在法医精神病房的经验

目的在法医精神病房中，与合格的护士相比，患者在医疗保健助理（HCA）上花费的时间更多。尽管如此，还没有普遍使用的标准化HCA培训。本文的目的是评估HCA在HCA角色中的经验，以便更好地了解如何在HCA角色上继续工作，以确保安全实践并增进员工福祉。通过有针对性的方法招募了在中低安全NHS法医精神卫生部门工作的设计/方法/方法HCA。HCA进行了半结构化访谈，围绕他们的支持需求，临床决策和角色风险了解问题。使用模板分析，将基于现有文献的先验模板应用于访谈笔录。调查结果参与者描述了HCA经验将由两个主要主题定义：“ HCA因素”和“组织因素”。HCA重视整体患者观点，这珍视患者的经历。参与者描述了缺乏角色清晰性，这可以通过病房期望和专业经验来定义。独创性/价值HCA寻求患者的整体看法；但是，有些人为了工作而忽视了病人的罪行。未来的研究应该解决过去的犯罪行为如何影响安全性和HCA的长期健康。独创性/价值的HCA寻求患者的整体看法；但是，有些人为了工作而忽视了病人的罪行。未来的研究应该解决过去的犯罪行为如何影响安全性和HCA的长期健康。独创性/价值的HCA寻求患者的整体看法；但是，有些人为了工作而忽视了病人的罪行。未来的研究应该解决过去的犯罪行为如何影响安全性和HCA的长期健康。