Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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184. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on safe staffing levels in the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital; the plans to address recruitment and retention at the emergency department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52554/25]

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.

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.

Data received by the HSE National lead for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix identified that Mayo University Hospital (MUH) required an additional 18.5 WTE for the emergency department. The HSE have recently approved these additional WTE for recruitment and have informed the Department that recruitment is underway.

I have requested the Chief Nursing Officer in my Department to conduct a site visit to MUH in the coming weeks to review safe nurse staffing implementation to date 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.