Ms Deirdre Callis:

I agree with Dr. Hickey. There is a real problem with retention as well as with recruitment. On retention, if we can get the moneys for an adult outreach nurse, they will support the nurses who are leaving now. That would make a big difference. From the retention point of view, the nurses find the hours difficult. They are approved for three to four hours three times a week and most nurses want more time than that, so if we could try to find a solution for that it would be great. We suggest increased remuneration because these are complex care nurses. This is a special niche. They are very special people who will make a huge difference in people's lives. There probably are nurses out there who would like to take it on but do not feel they have the flexibility to take on just the three hours three days a week. Increased remuneration would go a long way to help retain them.