Nursing student numbers increase by a third - report

The number of school-leavers opting for a career in nursing or midwifery has risen by over a third in 2002, it was announced today.

Speaking this morning at the launch of the final report of the steering group on nursing and midwifery planning, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, said he was committed to ensuring the steady supply of staff into the national health service.

He said the Government will invest €234 million over the next three years in student resources, in particular the new four-year nursing degree programme.

"The ultimate aim is to have the right number of nurses and midwives in the right place at the right time with the right skills to ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care when needed," the Minister said.

The steering group was formed in 1998 to examine long-term planning in the nursing and midwifery sector in Ireland. It released an interim report in September 2000, followed by its final report, Towards Workforce Planning, this morning.

It makes a total of 118 recommendations to ensure the continued supply of nurses and midwives and to implement other workforce strategies.

The report also contains guidelines for health service employers in recruiting foreign nursing and midwifery staff, who make up a substantial proportion of current numbers. It offers advice on the best methods of integrating non-nationals from culturally diverse backgrounds into the Irish health system.

Mr Martin noted that there has been some success in recent years in lowering the turnover of nursing staff. However the rate, at 14 per cent in 2001 (down from 17 per cent in 1999), is still a "real issue that requires focused attention", he said.