Billy Timmins
Question:96 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, he has, if any to appoint a regulator to supervise private nurses in houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6322/00]
Written Answers. - Regulation of Nurses.
Before taking up a nursing appointment it is necessary to be registered with An Bord Altranais. The board has statutory responsibility for the training and registration of nurses in this country and is the regulatory body for the nursing profession.
I have no plans to appoint a regulator to supervise private nurses employed in an individual's home as I have no function in this area. Such an arrangement is the subject of a private contract negotiated between the client, nurse and nursing agency. Should a private individual express concern about a particular nurse's professional standards of nursing care, that individual would have recourse to An Bord Altranais, which would investigate any complaint received in the same manner as a complaint made against a nurse working in the health services.