Written Answers - Mental Handicap Nurses.
John Gormley
Question:
393
Mr. Gormley
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he will consider changing the title registered mental handicap nurse to registered learning disabilities nurse; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7651/03]
The working group on the role of the mental handicap nurse was established by the Department of Health in July, 1995 to review the role of the mental handicap nurse from a health service management perspective in preparation for the development of a diploma programme in mental handicap nurse training. One of the terms of reference of the working group was to make a recommendation as to the appropriate title under which a mental handicap nurse should register.
The question of the title under which a mental handicap nurse should register was addressed in all of the submissions received by the working group. All of the submissions requested that the word "nurse" be retained in the title. There were various interpretations of what other words should be included in the title such as Registered Mental Handicap Nurse, Registered Learning Disability Nurse, Registered Nurse for Mental Handicap, Registered Nurse for the Intellectually Disabled or Registered Nurse (Mental Handicap).
The working group discussed this matter at some length. It concurred with the general consensus that the term "nurse" should remain in the title. It considered that the term "mental handicap" in the title had been accepted by nurses, service providers, persons with a mental handicap, parents and friends of persons with a mental handicap and the general public. If any change in the terminology were to be considered then the opinions of a wide range of people would have to be elicited. In the meantime, however, the working group recommended that the term registered nurse (mental handicap) be used.
An Bord Altranais has statutory responsibility for the training and registration of nurses in this country and is the regulatory body for the nursing profession.
Section 27 of the Nurses Act 1985 provides for the maintenance of a register in accordance with the nurses rules promulgated under section 26 of the Act. The Nurses Rules 1988 provide for the division of the register into seven divisions, of which the division for mental handicap nursing specifies the designation, registered mental handicap nurse. The redesignation of the title of a nurse on the register would require a rule change by the board.
I understand from the board that the question as to the designation of mental handicap nursing and registered mental handicap nurse was raised at their last meeting on 13 February 2003. The board referred the matter to the education and training committee for further consideration.
