Task force review of nurse shortages

A long-awaited Department of Health task force set up to examine chronic nursing staff shortages is welcome, but must include the "immediate" lifting of the HSE’s recruitment ban.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation made the claim after the Government plan to address long-term staffing gaps was revealed at the weekend.

Speaking at the nursing union’s annual general meeting in Kilkenny City on Friday, the Department of Health’s secretary general, Ambrose McLoughlin, announced plans to create a range of safe nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals across the country. The policy, long called for by those working in hospital departments, is intended to highlight and address staff shortages before they become potentially dangerous.

It will also include an examination of each ward’s “skill mix” requirements, in a bid to guarantee the new plan proves to be more than a simple headcount measurement.

Reacting to the news yesterday the INMO’s general secretary, Liam Doran, said the move will “provide safe practice and safe care” for both staff and patients.

However, he warned that the initiative will only prove successful if the controversial recruitment ban on nursing and midwifery posts is removed immediately.

The staff levels task force will be led by Ireland’s chief nursing officer, Siobhan O’Halloran, who will be supported by three deputy chief nursing officers.

The INMO wants the task force to recommend a ratio of one nurse to every four patients in busy wards and one midwife for every 29.5 births in maternity units, meaning at least 8,000 more nurses will be needed.

However, Health Minister James Reilly has suggested the group will instead put forward a range of acceptable staffing levels, as opposed to strict ratios.