Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1298. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36486/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 25 July 2023
Ceisteanna (1298)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix is an evidence-based approach to determining safe staffing and skill mix levels for nursing and healthcare assistants and has been policy since 2018. The Framework, built on the principle that patients are individuals, determines nurse staffing levels based on care requirements. The impact of implementing the Framework is demonstrated by measuring a range of patient, staff and economic outcomes such as, including care left undone, staff satisfaction, and agency cost.
The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings in Ireland (Phase 1) was launched in 2018 and The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in Adult Emergency Care Settings in Ireland (Phase 2) was launched on 2 June 2022.
The Government had already invested €31 million since 2020 to support implementation of the Framework and I recently allocated funding of €25 million to recruit 854 additional posts needed to continue implementation of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in all acute hospitals nationally.
The major challenges to implementation have been the COVID-19 pandemic and recruitment difficulties. Nevertheless, the HSE has reported a significant increase in the nursing workforce in model 4 hospitals and that the majority of the positions funded initially have been filled, with recruitment continuing for the remaining posts. Completing implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Framework in all hospitals by the end of 2023 is a priority for me and I have requested the HSE to prioritise this recruitment.
Phase 3 of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing in Community settings comprises: (i) Long-Term residential care settings for older persons, (ii) Community care settings, and (iii) Step-down and Rehabilitation settings.
My Department is currently testing the first part of Phase 3 of the Framework for Safe Nurse and Skill Mix in public and private Long-Term residential care settings for older persons which includes community hospitals. Based on the evidence and in line with the recommendation of the COVID-19 Nursing Home Expert Panel, it is my intention that Phase 3(i) be developed into a national policy in line with other phases.