Róisín Shortall
Ceist:6 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he will take to avoid a severe shortage of nurses over the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14451/98]
Priority Questions. - Nursing Staff.
On 22 May 1998 there was a total of 57,317 nurses registered with An Bord Altranais. Of these, 47,863 were on the board's live register.
The number of nurses employed in the public health service has increased steadily in recent years. Between 1990 and 1996 the whole-time equivalent number of nursing staff employed in the public health service funded directly by my Department increased from 24,732 to 27,264 — an increase of 2,532 or 10.2 per cent. The rate of increase in the number of nursing staff employed has been higher than that for health service employment generally over the same period. At December 1996 the number had stabilised at 27,264.
The most important point is that in recent years the traditional apprenticeship model of pre-registration nursing education and training is being replaced by a new diploma based programme. Nursing students on the programme are supernumerary to service requirements. The traditional student nurses' service contribution is being replaced by an appropriate skill mix of qualified nurses and other grades.
Because of these changes in arrangements for professional training there is an underlying trend away from less qualified student nurses to fully qualified staff nurses. Another factor which should be taken into account is the increasing trend in recent years among health service employers to facilitate nurses who for personal reasons do not wish to commit themselves to full-time work. There are now nearly 4,000 nurses working in formal job-sharing arrangements, in addition to the significant number who work part-time.
It is unfortunate the Minister did not avail of his two minutes to answer the question. He gave some background information but did not say what steps, if any, he is taking to ensure there is not a severe shortage of nurses. Many people would argue there is a severe shortage at present. It is estimated by the INO there is a shortage of up to 1,000 nurses countrywide at the moment. All agencies and health boards will testify that it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit nursing staff.
This is happening at a time when services which require high levels of nurses are being expanded, particularly those for the elderly. It is incredible that while services are expanding, the intake of nursing students is reducing. It is no wonder we have a problem when that is the case.
It has been brought to the Minister's attention on a number of occasions by health boards, hospitals and the INO that there is a serious problem at present, which is likely to be exacerbated over the coming years. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure we do not reach a crisis point where services are brought to a standstill because of a shortage of nurses?
We have increased the number of training places available this year. Last year we did not fill our full complement of posts. One of the reasons is that nursing must now compete with a range of career options and it is not as easy to recruit student nurses as it was in the past.
We have provided a new school of nursing in the Midland Health Board, which was the only health board not to have such a school. An additional 27 places were approved in 1998 for the schools of nursing of the Adelaide and Meath Hospitals. Twenty five extra student places were also approved for the mental handicap nursing programme and an extra 80 places for the psychiatry programme. Over the three year period of the programmes, this amounts to an extra 456 places. My Department is exploring further the possibility of increasing the number of places available for students.
A new nursing policy division was established in my Department. Its primary function is to ensure there is an integrated and strengthened nursing function within my Department at this important stage in the development of nursing. There are currently eight staff working in this division. This will be augmented in the coming months when a number of nurse researchers are appointed to the division. One of these researchers will be specifically engaged to research nursing manpower needs for the coming years.
It should be noted that, unfortunately, Ireland is not in a unique position in having a shortage of nurses. The United States, the United Kingdom and most other European countries are also experiencing a shortage of nursing personnel. Many of these countries are experiencing a large decline in the number of applicants for nurse training. This is not yet the case in Ireland. However, we must not become complacent. We have a declining school leaving population who have a greater range of third level courses to choose from than ever before. This is the environment in which we must compete for student nurses.
Earlier this year, my Department undertook a concerted campaign to attract more entrants to nurse training, which has been successful. I am most anxious to ensure the momentum generated by the campaign is sustained. As recently as last week, when addressing the first public meeting of An Bord Altranais, I requested the board to become actively involved in the development of further promotional literature and video materials for use in an ongoing recruitment drive which it begun recently.
What should the target number of trainees be each year to meet the demand? What did the campaign entail precisely, because it passed me by?
The campaign was aimed specifically at career guidance teachers, which is where it would be most effective, rather than spending millions of pounds in the open. It has had a successful impact.
What did the campaign entail?
We must proceed to Question No. 7.