Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1543. To ask the Minister for Health the main initiatives undertaken by his Department since 27 June 2020 to engage with healthcare assistants on the way their roles can be developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18191/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Health Care Assistants have played a valuable role in the HSE’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. At present, the HSE are progressing the implementation of the National Review of the Role of the Health Care Assistants which, unfortunately, was delayed due to the onset of the pandemic. Meetings between HSE officials, Industry Representatives and Union Officials are currently ongoing.

In addition, and in response to the Government initiative to expand the scope and number of apprenticeships available in the public sector, the Health Service Executive has committed to establishing a NFQ level 5 apprenticeship for the occupation of Health Care Assistant. Officials from my Department will be working with colleagues in the Department of Further, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the HSE to develop this apprenticeship model of training for Health Care Assistants. This initiative will be undertaken in conjunction with the implementation of the National Review of the Role of the Health Care Assistants and together will enhance the role and career development of Health Care Assistants.

It is worth noting that in terms of the Health Care Assistant role and the Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix Framework, the Health Care Assistant role development is not part of Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix Framework. However, it does provide policy direction for an appropriate skill mix, which recognizes the essential supportive role that Health Care Assistants play in delivering patient care. Across all care environments that have applied the Safe Nurse Staffing Framework, the role of Health Care Assistants is recognized and included in the necessary staffing levels to meet patient care needs.

Phase 3 of the Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix Framework focuses on the long-term residential care setting for older persons, A critical factor in defining the Safe Nurse Staffing requirement is establishing the correct skill mix ratio of Registered Nurses to Health Care Assistants The selected ratio is based on international research and available evidence of best practices and will be monitored for confirmation during the pilot testing of this phase.