Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
606. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he had engaged with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the number of postgraduate college places in public health nursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20705/24]
View answerAs of 1 June 2023, the NMBI State of the Register identifies that there were 2,721 nurses registered in the Registered Public Health Nurses (PHN) division, with 2,286 of these practicing, of which there are 1,903 in patient facing roles. There were 138 new registrants in 2023, an increase of 22% from the previous year. However, the HSE staff census reports a decrease of 64 (or 4%) in the number of PHN WTE's number employed from 1,539 in December 2019 to 1,475 WTE's in March 2024 which is a matter of concern.
The HSE continues to fund registered nurses or midwives to undertake the PHN post graduate programme. Since 2019, the number of applicants for the PHN postgraduate programme has dropped from 308 to 239 currently, and despite the number of applicants continuing to surpass the number of programme places available each year, the programme places are not being filled. Therefore, without addressing wider issues, increasing postgraduate college places will not resolve the problem.
The HSE recently provided my Department with a 'Report on Recommendations to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Public Health Nurses and Community Registered General Nurses in Community Nursing Services'. This report makes findings in relation to a broad range of issues impacting on PHN recruitment and retention including a review of the current PHN sponsorship scheme and transfer panel as well as the need to redefine the community nursing model to better meet population health needs.
My Department is currently examining the report and its findings and will shortly engage with the HSE. As part of this engagement, one priority for me as Minister will be to support the development of an appropriate community nursing model that is aligned with the objectives of Sláintecare.
