Pilot Nursing Staff Scheme Showing 'Real Results'

The pilot scheme of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix is showing real results in the retention of nurses, the reduction of agency staff and positive outcomes for patients, according to the Minister for Health Simon Harris.

Commenting on the scheme, which has been operating on a pilot basis in six hospital wards, Minister Harris said: "This is an exciting and innovative project which approaches safe nurse staffing and skill mix by matching the nursing resource to the type and number of patients on the ward and their particular needs. I am delighted to extend it to a further 10 wards, within the three current pilot hospitals. I am also pleased to announce the award of a three year programme of research focusing on the impact of the Framework to the team based at UCC, led by Professor Jonathan Drennan."

He continued: "The extension of the pilot, coupled with the research programme will provide, for the first time in Ireland, a detailed examination of the nursing workforce and its important contribution to patient care. This Framework is about developing safe nurse staffing, which provides safe patient care and outcomes, along with a healthy work environment that attracts and retains our vital nursing staff.

"The report on the work so far shows that agency use has dropped considerably in some of our pilot wards. For example, one ward saw a decrease from agency use of twenty eight per cent before the pilot to nine per cent agency use after. Meanwhile on the pilot sites, job satisfaction has improved, as has intention to stay. These are all important factors in the retention of nursing staff. The report on the pilots also outlines how the occurrence of Nurse Sensitive Patient Outcomes Measures, such as hospital acquired pneumonia or sepsis, has begun to decrease and patients’ experiences of the health service are improving."

(MH/LM)