Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:
281
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if his attention has been drawn to the fact that two operating theatres are currently closed in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, which is resulting in the deferral of urgent cases even in the neurosurgical area in which Beaumont specialise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5727/99]
The authorities at Beaumont Hospital have advised me that one of the hospital's theatres is closed at present due to a shortage of nursing staff and a second theatre is operating on a part-time basis. I understand there are 14 vacant posts at present in the hospital's operating theatres but that they are making every effort to recruit the appropriate staff. The hospital's authorities have further advised me that their other operating theatres function on a 24 hour basis and that no neurosurgical cases have been deferred as a result of a shortage of specialist nursing staff. I am assured that all emergency and urgent cases are treated.
The problem of nurse shortages is an issue which has become more apparent in recent times. While the recruitment of nurses is primarily a matter for individual employers, the overall issue of the availability of nurses is being kept under review by the Health Service Employers' Agency (HSEA). The HSEA established a task force in 1998 to examine the full nature of the difficulties in recruiting nursing staff and to make recommendations on appropriate action.
The Deputy will be aware that I launched the competitions for places on this year's nursing diploma programmes on 20 January 1999. I also announced an increased annual maintenance grant of £3,250 payable to nursing students and the provision of funding of £350,000 to An Bord Altranais (which now manages the Nursing Careers Centre) and various schools of nursing for a recruitment campaign, at both national and local level, aimed at attracting more young people to enter nursing.
The closing date for applications for nurse training was last Friday, 19 February. I am pleased to note that approximately 6,000 applications have been received which represents a 50 per cent increase on 1998. I am hopeful that a full uptake of all the available training places will result from this increased level of interest.
It should be pointed out that Ireland is not in a unique position in relation to the shortage of nurses. The reality is that the United States, the United Kingdom and most other European countries are also experiencing a shortage of nursing personnel. Nurses with specialist qualifications in areas such as cardiac care are particularly sought after.
Arising from the work of the task force, the HSEA outlined to the nursing unions in November 1998 a number of initiatives to address the shortage, including the standardisation of overtime rates and full incremental credit on permanent appointment for relevant previous nursing experience both at home and abroad. The response of the nursing unions to these measures has been positive. In addition, the HSEA has agreed to the introduction of more flexible working arrangements for nursing staff. The HSEA expects to be in a position to announce details of this scheme shortly.
Having regard to the difficulties being experienced by hospitals in recruiting nurses, it should be noted that my Department engaged a nurse researcher in late 1998 to specifically study nursing needs for the coming years and to carry out research on the reasons why nurses are leaving their profession. When this research has been completed, my Department will be in a better position to further address the issue of nursing shortages.
The Deputy will be aware that the Labour Court recently recommended significant improvements in existing allowances for nurses working in specialised areas, including theatre and intensive care, and who hold special qualifications. The court also accepted that there are grounds for improvements in the pay of ward sisters and higher grades to reflect the new roles proposed for those grades in the report of the Commission on Nursing and recommended that the parties enter into discussions immediately on implementation of that report, those discussions to be completed by 1 May 1999 at which stage the parties are to report back to the court.
I announced on 10 February that the Government was prepared to accept the Labour Court recommendations. The Deputy will be aware that discussions between the HSEA and the nursing unions began last week. I am confident that the process which is now under way provides a way forward for implementing the report of the Commission on Nursing which sets out a coherent framework for the future development of the nursing profession and contains a large number of wide-ranging recommendations designed to address the real underlying problems within nursing.
Paul McGrath
Ceist:
282
Mr. McGrath
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the proposals, if any, he has for capital investment in the Longford and Westmeath General Hospital at Mullingar, County Westmeath, to bring on stream the badly needed additional beds which can be accommodated in the building already provided; and the timeframe in this regard.
[5748/99]
There is a network of three acute hospitals in the Midland Health Board area and I am committed to working with the board in relation to the development of all three hospitals.
In this regard I have provided the board with commissioning funds, totalling £2.05 million to enable the opening of Phase 2A of Longford-Westmeath General Hospital. I have also approved the preparation of a development control plan and a new paediatric department for the General Hospital, Portlaoise. This is in addition to the acute psychiatric unit, medical ward upgrading and catering facilities replacement previously approved.
I recently announced a major capital development at Tullamore General Hospital, construction of which is expected to commence next year. Phase 2B at Longford-Westmeath General Hospital, Mullingar involves a ward block and theatre suite. The facilities have been constructed to the "shelled out" phase, involving construction of the outer walls, roof, floors and windows. The completion and commissioning of Phase 2B will be considered in the light of available funding as work on the Midland Health Board's other capital priorities proceeds.
