Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

333. To ask the Minister for Health the number of advanced nurse practitioner posts that will be allocated in 2018; if a previous commitment that two advanced nurse practitioner posts will be allocated to a hospital (details supplied) will be adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26371/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I approved the Policy on Graduate, Specialist and Advanced Nursing Practice in 2017. The primary purpose of this policy is to show through a series of demonstrator projects how a critical mass of Advance Nurse Practitioners (ANP) can contribute to providing a solution to a number of challenges facing the health service including access to services, avoiding unnecessary hospital attendance, supporting early discharge and contributing to addressing waiting lists.

The first 120 ANP commenced the programme in October 2017 and a further 30 will commence in October 2018. The selection criterion for nurses to be appointed to this programme are clearly set out in the letters requesting expression of interest. The ANP programme is one of many initiatives to enhance the educational qualifications and improve career paths of nurses.

I understand that one ANP post was assigned to the hospital mentioned by the Deputy in 2017 as part of the central ANP programme. However it is important to note that this central ANP programme is only one pathway to becoming an ANP. One of the benefits of the programme is that in recognising the importance and benefits of having ANPs on their staff, approval to attend ANP or equivalent courses can be give at CHO or Hospital Group level provided costs can be met from within their existing resources.