Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
227. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way in which he will fully implements the safe staffing framework; the full-year implementation cost; the number of nurses and midwives the health service will hire in 2022; if he will implement nurse patient staffing ratios; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50781/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Safe Staffing Framework is an evidence based approach to determine the safe nurse staffing and skill mix requirement based on patient care needs. The initial phase, Phase 1, applied to acute medical and surgical areas in the hospital setting. Following the success of the pilot project Phase 1 was agreed as national policy and handed over to the HSE for implementation across the system. To support national implementation funding was allocated for a National Lead for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix to set up a governance structure in the HSE to oversee implementation of Phase 1.
The national roll out has been impacted by COVID 19 and the cyberattack however the allocation of €10m provided to progress Phase 1 implementation in the National Service Plan 2021 will deliver 177 additional whole time equivalents across the Model 4 Hospitals. Budget 2022 has provided for further continuation of Phase 1 implementation based on the HSE business case to progress this important work. Full details of this funding will be clarified in the Letter of Determination, from my Department to the HSE.
The Deputy will also be aware that my Department continues to develop the Framework. It is expected that policy development for Phase 2 of the Framework, relating to emergency care settings, will be complete by the end of 2021, with implementation commencing by the HSE in 2022.
