Vol. 518 No. 3
157 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of nurses required to maintain an adequate service in the various public hospitals in the Western Health Board region; the number of nurses currently available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11362/00]
It is not possible to be definitive as to the total nursing complement required to provide adequate staffing for hospitals. The Commission on Nursing recommended that the Department of Health and Children, health service providers and nursing organisations examine the development of appropriate systems to determine nursing staffing levels. The need to address skill mix issues was also highlighted in the Commission on Nursing report. Both recommendations are included in the priority action plan agreed with the Nursing Alliance as part of the settlement of the nurses' strike. It has been agreed that these issues will be addressed by a joint committee representative of nursing unions and health service employers. This committee is in the process of being established.
The Western Health Board has confirmed that the total nursing complement for the board's public hospitals – acute, mental health and older people services – was 2,563.67 whole time equivalents.
