Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2018
259. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of implementing the framework for safe nurse staffing and skill mix in all acute hospital settings; the number of additional whole-time equivalent nursing staff who would be required to implement the framework in all acute hospital settings; and the number of additional whole-time equivalent healthcare assistants required for same. [18776/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was delighted to launch the final report on the ”Framework for safe Nurse staffing and Skill mix in General, Specialist Medical and Surgical care settings in acute Adult hospitals in Ireland" on 16 April 2018. This framework sets out for the first time a methodology for calculating the staffing requirement and skill mix needed in our specialist medical and surgical wards in adult hospitals.
The framework was developed based on international research, consultation with key stakeholders and was piloted in three hospitals. Results for the pilots showed significant benefits for both patients and staff. Benefits for patients included reduced length of stay, increased quality of care and increased satisfaction with the care received. Staff reported an increase in job satisfaction and reduced absenteeism with a corresponding reduction in agency costs.
The next step is to develop a national implementation plan for incremental roll out across our hospitals. While it will determine the whole time equivalent of nurses and care assistants required, the unique point about the framework is that it is underpinned by the assessment of individual patient need, monitoring patient outcomes, staff and patient experience as well as assessment of required nursing hours. Therefore accurate costings will only become available when the implementation plan is developed.
