The questions referred to relate to the details, and the handling of, a protected disclosure submitted to my Department in September 2014, raising matters of concern within the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). As part of his comprehensive response on 11 June , 2019, my predecessor , Minister Harris, noted that two reports had been commissioned by the Board of the NMBI. Crowe Horwath was engaged to carry out an Organisational Review and BDO was engaged to carry out a review of Remuneration and Contract Management of Non-Permanent Employees. The relevant reports were submitted in late 2015 with recommendations that were accepted in full by the Board. Minister Harris further noted that, in view of the reports commissioned, the findings of same, and the steps taken by the NMBI to implement the recommendations of the reports, he was satisfied that significant action has been taken on foot of the complaints made. These complaints were an important input to the enhancement of governance in the NMBI.
The Deputy's current question to me focuses on three areas. Firstly, in relation to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies which was introduced in August 2016. This Code is not designed to provide specific accountability mechanisms in relation to individuals. Instead, it gives a framework for good governance practice and it is the responsibility of the body itself to comply with the Code. The role of the supervising Department is to monitor such compliance using the available mechanisms to obtain the necessary assurances. Secondly, the impact of certain conduct on the health and well- being of staff within the NMBI was one of the issues which had been raised. While the initial complaint did not characterise the matters as falling within the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, health and welfare issues were dealt with in the subsequent review under the Protected Disclosure Act 2014. Thirdly, I note that complaints under the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Midwives can be made to the NMBI by members of the public, patients, relatives of patients, employers, other healthcare staff or the Board of the NMBI if they have a concern about the behaviour, conduct, practice or health of a registered nurse or a registered midwife.
In dealing with the matters raised, the Department ensured that a proper investigation was carried out and that any issues which had arisen were rectified and measures put in place to prevent a reoccurrence.
