Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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106. To ask the Minister for Health the plans she has to engage further with Mayo University Hospital in relation to staff shortages in the accident and emergency department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52391/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to ensuring adequate and safe staffing across our health service, ensuring that the workforce keeps pace with population and demographic changes.

Mayo University Hospital (MUH) has had an increase of over 30% of its overall staffing levels, an additional 352 staff since December 2019.

The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix provides an evidence-based flexible approach to determine the number of nurses and healthcare assistants required to provide safe and quality care based on patient need. Phase 2 of the Framework applies to adult emergency departments and is national policy.

Implementation of the Framework nationally is overseen by the HSE's national lead for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix.

Implementing the Framework in the emergency department within Mayo University Hospital (MUH) is incorporated within the national implementation plan.

I have requested the Chief Nursing Officer in my Department to conduct a site visit to MUH in the coming weeks to review Framework implementation and provide additional supports as appropriate. Progress and remaining requirements will be confirmed on the site visit. Both the CEO of the HSE and I are committed to Framework implementation.