Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 201: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason An Bord Altranais are considering the removal of a midwifery qualification as a prerequisite for registration as a public health nurse; if this will impact on the care of mothers and babies in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20504/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Commission on Nursing, (Report of the Commission on Nursing, 1998), considered that registration as a midwife should no longer be a mandatory requirement for entry to the higher diploma in public health nursing or registration as a Public Health Nurse (PHN), as follows:

" . . . in light of the range of services offered by public health nurses and the ongoing development of nursing and midwifery services in the community, registration as a midwife should no longer be a mandatory requirement for entry to the higher diploma in public health nursing or registration as a public health nurse. An alternative education programme relating more closely to the core generic maternal and child care service requirements of public health nursing should replace the mandatory midwifery requirement. The Commission recommends that the Board establish a working party composed of PHNs, health service providers and nurse educators to determine the content and duration of a course in maternal and child health, as an alternative to the mandatory midwifery qualification. (8.30)."

Accordingly, An Bord Altranais, which is broadly representative, consisting of 29 members, including 17 elected nurses from all divisions of the Register of Nurses, unanimously decided to remove the mandatory Midwifery requirement for Public Health Nursing, in July 2002. This change was reflected in the Nurses Rules which were signed by me in December 2004.

A Working Group was subsequently established by An Bord Altranais which included key stakeholder representation including Public Health Nursing course leaders, managers and clinicians. The purpose of this group was to develop the Maternal and Child Health module for nurses who do not have a midwifery qualification, and thereafter the Requirements and Standards for Public Health Nurse programmes which were published in August 2005. This will ensure that the removal of the mandatory midwifery requirement for public health nursing will not adversely impact on the care of mothers and babies in the community.

The new requirements will be implemented in the third level colleges from September 2007. I am confident that the ongoing development and regulation of the nursing profession which draws on the expertise and experience of nurses is in the best interests of those cared for by the health services.