Louis J. Belton
Question:75 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on concerns that the health strategy fails to outline proposals to attract nurses back into the public health system. [30921/01]
Vol. 545 No. 5
75 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on concerns that the health strategy fails to outline proposals to attract nurses back into the public health system. [30921/01]
The health strategy is a blueprint to guide policy makers and service providers in achieving the vision of a future health system. Two key strands are addressed in the framework for human resources: ensuring a qualified, competent workforce to meet the changing demands of the people; and becoming an employer of choice.
In the first strand integrated workforce planning will be introduced on a national basis and the required number of extra health staff will be recruited. In order to achieve the additional numbers required, a number of initiatives are or will be undertaken. In the nursing area these include the following: 10,000 nurses will be trained over the lifetime of the strategy; the implementation of the final report on the study of the nursing and midwifery resource; the introduction of degree level education for nursing in 2002; it is also proposed to build on existing steps including the recent introduction of flexible working arrangements; payment of fees to registered nurses and midwives undertaking part-time post-registration degrees and courses in specialised areas of clinical practice; the provision of flexible return to nursing and midwifery courses for nurses wishing to rejoin the workforce and continuation of the drive to recruit from overseas; some 2,000 work authorisations/visas have been issued to nurses and midwives from abroad in the year up to June; and the development of further clinical specialist and advanced practitioner posts in nursing and midwifery within the framework of the new National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery.
The strategy is also committed to the promotion of best practice in recruitment and retention. In line with this policy the Office for Health Management will prepare guidelines on best practice in advertising policies and recruitment for staff of the health system. These will be circulated to all health employers. The guidelines will include guidance on induction arrangements for all staff. The Health Service Employers Agency will work with the Office for Health Management to advise employers on implementation of the guidelines.