A social movement to deliver change for health and care support workers

Social care and NHS support workers represent a significant proportion of the healthcare workforce, often at the frontline of patient care. Despite this, they have long faced barriers that prevent them from being able to fully contribute their knowledge and skills, and progress in their careers. These barriers stem from a lack of national mandated workforce policy, which reflects the neglect this workforce has experienced. In this article, the author highlights some of the issues that support workers have faced for over two decades. He proposes that a social movement is needed to address issues such as access to occupationally relevant education, and that this can be the best means to achieving lasting change.