NextGen: HNC Healthcare Practice

We are currently developing a NextGen: HNC qualification in Healthcare Practice. The development began in November 2023 and has made positive progress. The qualification is required to serve the purpose of Scottish Government’s key policy drivers for this sector, as well as widen access to a variety of areas within the Healthcare sector.

We have been collaborating extensively with relevant stakeholders, such as Scottish Government, HEIs, colleges, regulatory bodies to achieve this ambitious remit. Following discussions with stakeholders, the new proposed qualification will incorporate three pathways:

Nursing
Midwifery

Allied Health Professions (AHP) – including routes for Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Paramedicine.

There will be one project-based core unit worth 32 SCQF credits, that will be included within all pathways. This unit will cover the general knowledge and skills required for practitioners in any healthcare setting such as interprofessional working, patients’ rights, and duty of care, as well as meta-skills development. Learners will then continue with their chosen pathway where specific knowledge and skills will be developed. This new structure will also be suitable for Earn-and-Learn candidates.

We have established a steering group to assist with the resolution of challenges within the project. This group is made up of representatives from SQA, Scottish Government, and Council of Deans and Colleges Scotland and meets regularly. The steering group ensures that the emerging qualification aligns with policy drivers and provides direction where required.

This qualification is expected to be ready for delivery in 2025 and will be made up of the nursing and midwifery pathways, with the AHP pathway to follow.