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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 3

Written Answers. - Nursing Conference.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

87 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give an outline of his comments at the SIPTU Nursing Conference on 21 May 2001. [19340/01]

I had the pleasure of addressing the SIPTU Nursing Conference in Galway on 21 May 2001. I am making arrangements to have a copy of my speech sent directly to the Deputy. In the meantime, I am happy to have this opportunity to summarise its contents; implementation of the report of the commission on nursing; the first section of the speech referred to progress in implementing the report of the commission on nursing and drew attention to the first annual report of the monitoring committee overseeing the implementation of the recommendations which was circulated in January 2001. As proof of its commitment to the implementation of the commission on nursing report, this Government has provided £22 million to fund initiatives under the action plan for 2000 and 2001. The monitoring committee has agreed a new action plan for 2002 and 2003.

I then outlined developments since the very important report of the nursing education forum was launched by me on 24 January 2001; an interdepartmental steering committee was set up to deal with all policy and funding issues and has met on a number of occasions since its first meeting on the 15 March 2001; direct discussions between representatives of third level institutions and the nursing unions in relation to the assimilation of nurse teachers into the third level sector were facilitated by my Department. I was directly involved in leading these discussions to a successful conclusion. I indicated that a very good deal had been brokered for nurse teachers and that I was hopeful that it would be accepted. This deal was accepted subsequently; a national implemen tation committee to monitor progress in the implementation of the proposed nursing degree programme across the country met for the first time on 11 April 2001 and is proceeding with its work.
I referred to the major new recruitment and retention initiative, costing in excess of £5 million, which I launched in November 2000. As part of the overall recruitment-retention strategy the following financial supports for nurses and midwives undertaking post-registration educational courses have been introduced; payment of fees to nurses/midwives undertaking part-time nursing and certain other undergraduate degree courses; improved scheme of financial support for student public health nurses; enhanced financial support package for student midwives and student paediatric nurses; payment of fees and enhanced salary to nurses-midwives undertaking courses in specialised areas of clinical practice; abolition of fees for "back-to-practice" courses and payment of salary to nurses-midwives undertaking such courses.
I referred to the increase in the number of nursing training places to 1,500 until at least 2003. Since 1999 there have been record intakes to nursing training, particularly in the psychiatric and mental handicap programmes. This record increase is the direct result of a concerted recruitment campaign, both at national and local level, which was funded by my Department.
Details were given of the improved the package of financial and other supports available to nursing students from 1 June 2001. The full year cost of these enhancements is in the region of £1 million.
The purpose of the Mental Health Bill, 1999, was outlined and an update on progress was given. I referred to the enormous strides which continue to be made in developing a service which is comprehensive, community-based and integrated with other health services. I then outlined the additional funding provided this year, £18.64 million, for improvements in mental health services and the priority areas for development.
I also outlined proposals for substantial capital funding under the national development plan. Approximately £150 million in capital will be provided over the lifetime of the plan for the mental health services. At the end of the period of the national development plan in 2006, it is my intention to have made substantial progress on completing the programme of acute psychiatric units. I will also provide funding under the national development plan for more community facilities such as mental health centres and community residences, thus further accelerating the phasing out of the old mental institutions.
I informed the delegates about two important strategy documents being developed by the nursing policy division in my Department: (i) strategy document on nursing in the community, (ii) a research strategy for nursing and midwifery in Ireland.
With regard to the review of the Nurses' Act, 1985, I indicated that I expected to be in a position to seek Government approval for the heads of a Bill by the autumn. I informed the delegates that a working group is being established to review the practice of patient escorts in the context of the future development of mental health services and, in particular, the provisions of the mental health Bill and to make recommendations in relation to future practice.
I outlined my thoughts on the development of the new health strategy under the headings of consultation, principles, key themes, and existing initiatives-service developments. Following my address, I accepted an invitation to participate in a question and answer session which covered a wide range of issues.
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