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Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2022

Tuesday, 21 June 2022

Questions (848, 855)

Duncan Smith

Question:

848. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health how far below optimum levels of staffing of midwives employed by the HSE are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32600/22]

View answer

Duncan Smith

Question:

855. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health how far below optimum levels of staffing of nurses employed by the HSE are at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32608/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 848 and 855 together.

The Safe Staffing Framework is an evidence-based methodology to determine the required nursing workforce and skill mix based on patient acuity and dependency. The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings in Ireland 2018 (Phase 1) was launched in 2018 and The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in Adult Emergency Care Settings in Ireland 2022 (Phase 2) was launched on the 2 June 2022 (www.gov.ie/en/collection/bebf28-taskforce-publications/).

Phase 3 of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing in Community settings includes (i) Long-Term residential care settings for older persons, (ii) Community care settings, and (iii) Step-down and Rehabilitation settings.

As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is currently testing the first part of Phase 3 of the Safe Nurse and Skill Mix Framework in Long-Term residential care settings for older persons. Based on the evidence and in line with the recommendation of the  COVID-19 Nursing Home Expert Panel, Phase 3 (i) will, in line with other phases, be developed into a national policy for broader implementation. 

The Safe Staffing Framework does not include determining the required midwifery workforce and skill mix. 

As the staffing levels of nurses and midwives employed within the HSE is an operational matter for the HSE, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy. 

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