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Health Services Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2018

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Ceisteanna (400)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

400. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the workforce planning reports being undertaken for the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17795/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As you may already be aware, I launched the National Strategic Framework for Health and Social Care Workforce Planning in November 2017.  This Framework will support the development and implementation of a more consistent approach to strategic workforce planning.  It will also support the establishment of structures and governance arrangements to enable the application of this strategic approach both within the health sector and with across other sectors.  Early actions to implement the Framework including the establishment of governance and oversight arrangements, are underway.  

Of course, workforce planning is still being carried out in the health system, while the National Stategic Framework is in the process of being implemented.  Most recently, I launched the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings in Adult Hospitals in Ireland on the 16th of April.  This framework sets out, for the first time in Ireland, the methodology to determine the appropriate number of nurses and healthcare assistants required for a medical/surgical ward based on the number of patients and their particular needs.

In terms of the HSE, currently, at national level, there are small teams with dedicated resources and significant expertise in workforce planning within HSE National HR Division.  These include resources in the National Doctors Training and Planning area, the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director and in the Health and Social Care Professions Office. 

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