Conor Lenihan
Question:231 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to upgrade the nursing profession in line with the recommendations of the nursing commission. [24422/99]
Written Answers. - Nursing Profession.
The report of the Commission on Nursing, A Blueprint for the Future, contains wide ranging recommendations for addressing the underlying problems within nursing. The Government has always been committed to implementing the commission's recommendations and good progress has been made to date in implementing some of the central recommendations of the commission.
I welcome the fact that, as part of the recent settlement with nurses, the parties were able to reach agreement on a structured programme for the phased implementation of the commission's report. The agreed programme provides for the development of new roles and grading structures within nursing which will enhance the profession of nursing, improve service delivery, and help to address concerns among nurses about their relative lack of promotional outlets.
The implementation programme also addresses other important issues affecting the nursing profession such as the empowerment of nurses and midwives, post-registration education and development, and the whole area of skill mix and effective use of the professional skills of nurses.
At my meeting with the Nursing Alliance on 9 November, I invited the alliance to nominate representatives to a monitoring committee, as proposed by the commission, which would monitor progress in the implementation of the commission's report. This committee which will be composed of representatives of the Department of Health and Children, health service providers, the Nursing Alliance, and An Bord Altranais will ensure a partnership approach to the implementation of the commission's recommendations. The first meeting of the committee will take place early in December.