Vol. 541 No. 2
470 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has examined an application from the Diabetes Federation of Ireland for the appointment of a diabetes nurse specialist on a permanent basis to carry out the tasks outlined in their submission to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21495/01]
The Commission on Nursing recognised the need for a coherent approach to the progression of specialisation and development of a clinical career pathway in nursing and midwifery. This function is vested in the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery. The national council has issued clear guidelines to all health service providers on the process by which clinical nurse or midwife specialist posts should be developed. I am arranging for a copy of these guidelines to be sent to the Deputy for his information.
The national council is working closely with the regional nursing and midwifery planning and development units, which have responsibility for the strategic planning of nursing and midwifery services in a health board area, to encourage the development of specialist posts based on identified service and patient needs. Part of the process set out in the national council's guidelines involves the health service provider submitting a plan for the development of any such posts to the relevant nursing and midwifery planning unit for consideration.
The submission from the Diabetes Federation of Ireland was referred to the national council for attention in June 2000, and I have been informed by the national council that 45 clinical nurse specialist diabetes posts have been confirmed by it to date.
