Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix is an evidence-based approach to determining nurse staffing levels that puts safety and patient needs first, focusing on delivering positive patient outcomes. The Framework is national policy in Adult General and Specialist Medical and Surgical wards since 2018 and in Emergency Care Settings since 2022. The Framework’s implementation has demonstrated positive impacts for patients, staff and organisations.

National implementation of the Framework is a priority for Minister Donnelly. The Government invested €31 million since 2020 to support implementation and the Minister recently allocated further funding of €25 million. This provides for approximately 1,000 additional Whole Time Equivalent Registered Nurses and Healthcare Assistants to date, with recruitment ongoing. There are 21,904 more whole time equivalents working in our health service than there were at the beginning of 2020, including almost 6,600 additional nurses and midwives.

OECD statistical data clearly shows that Ireland has more practising nurses per 1,000 population than nearly all other European countries. Furthermore, the 2022 OECD data shows Ireland having 13.4 practising nurses per 1,000 population, which is an increase on the 2021 figure of 12.8.

Ireland’s approach to safe staffing is internationally recognised as highly effective, with other countries now looking to Ireland. Very few countries have legislated for safe staffing and according to the Office of our Chief Nurse, there’s limited evidence to show that safe staffing legislation makes it safer for patients or positively impacts implementation.

To identify the evidence base for legislating, the Department of Health engaged with international experts in safe staffing. These experts advised that it’s not the right time for Ireland to legislate for the Framework. The priority should be on implementation and further development of the Framework in other areas especially community care. Any further emerging evidence will be kept under review.