Jim O'Callaghan
Question:1361. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the status of the safe staffing framework and safe staffing levels in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13145/23]
View answerTuesday, 21 March 2023
Questions (1361)
Written answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix is an evidence-based approach to determining safe staffing and skill mix levels for nursing and healthcare assistants and has been policy since 2018. The Framework, built on the principle that patients are individuals, determines nurse staffing levels based on care requirements. The impact of implementing the Framework is demonstrated by measuring a range of outcomes such as, including care left undone, staff satisfaction, levels of violence and aggression, and cost.
The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings in Ireland (Phase 1) was launched in 2018 and The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in Adult Emergency Care Settings in Ireland (Phase 2) was launched on 2 June 2022. I am committed to full implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Framework.
Phase 3 of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing in Community settings comprises: (i) Long-Term residential care settings for older persons, (ii) Community care settings, and (iii) Step-down and Rehabilitation settings.
My Department is currently testing the first part of Phase 3 of the Framework for Safe Nurse and Skill Mix in public and private Long-Term residential care settings for older persons which includes community hospitals. Based on the evidence and in line with the recommendation of the COVID-19 Nursing Home Expert Panel, it is my intention that Phase 3(i) be developed into a national policy in line with other phases.
Since 2020, over €31.2 million has been allocated to the Framework with €25 million of this investment providing for an additional 470 whole time equivalent (WTE) registered nurses and healthcare assistants across model 4 hospitals. The balance of €6.2 million in funding will provide for an additional 101 WTE registered nurses, as part of Phase 2, specifically for Emergency Departments.
The major challenges to implementation have been the COVID-19 pandemic and recruitment difficulties. Nevertheless, the HSE has reported a significant increase in the nursing workforce in model 4 hospitals as 74% of the funded positions have been filled to date, with recruitment continuing for the remaining posts.
A National Safe Staffing Unit, led by a Director of Nursing, has been established within the HSE and is responsible for oversight of the national implementation plan for safe nurse staffing and skill mix. I also allocated €0.2million in 2022, to further develop the unit, within the HSE, to support implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Framework in parallel. My Department is represented on the National Safe Nurse Staffing Oversight Group which monitors overall implementation progress.
The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing determines the required workforce and skill mix for the nursing workforce, that is nurses and healthcare assistants. It does not include determining the required workforce and skill mix for any other healthcare workers.
Regarding staffing levels, the HSE has reported that there are 68,066 whole time equivalents employed across the six hospital groups. This represents an increase of 11,119 WTE since the beginning of 2020.
As the staffing levels employed within the hospitals is an operational matter for the HSE, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on that particular element.