Vol. 547 No. 1
555 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway, is losing its status as a centre of education; if this is contrary to the purchase agreement entered into by the Western Health Board on behalf of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1764/02]
Pre-registration nursing education is being integrated into the higher education sector from the start of the next academic year, 2002-03, to coincide with the implementation of a new four-year degree programme. This will implement a central recommendation of the Commission on Nursing.
The Government has approved my proposals for a capital building and equipment programme costing 223.5 million, £176 million, to facilitate the full integration of nursing degree students into the higher education sector. This programme is due to be completed by September 2004 and will ensure that nursing students are accommodated in purpose built schools of nursing studies at thirteen higher education sites throughout the country, including National University of Ireland, Galway.
With the integration of pre-registration nursing education into the higher education sector, the various schools of nursing around the country, including the school at Portiuncula Hospital, are being phased out. A number of the schools will become centres of nursing education providing a range of post-registration educational and training services to nurses and midwives within given catchment areas.
Discussions have been taking place between health service employers and the nursing unions in relation to the number and location of centres of nursing education. There are currently five pre-registration schools of nursing in the Western Health Board area and there is agreement between the parties that two centres of nursing education are required, one in Galway and one in Castlebar.
It is important to understand that, in addition to nurses attending education and training courses external to the hospital, in-service education and training for nurses will continue to be delivered at Portiuncula Hospital. There will be no diminution in the level of in-service training currently provided by the hospital to its nursing staff. Moreover, should the nurse tutors who are currently employed at the school of nursing at Portiuncula Hospital decide not to transfer to National University of Ireland, Galway, on the commencement of the new nursing degree programme this year, they will continue to be based in Portiuncula Hospital. These arrangements are not contrary to the purchase agreement entered into by the Western Health Board on behalf of my Department.
