AQW 53591/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 29/01/2016
Answered On Date: 09/02/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) how his Department has taken account of the nursing workforce requirements of the independent sector in each of the last five years; and (ii) what mechanism is in place that requires independent sector employers to present their workforce data, including accurate figures for nurses working within the sector.

Answer:

A Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Plan has been completed by my Department and it is currently being considered by officials. The Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Plan considered the nursing workforce requirements of the independent sector and further recommended that the sector commission their own workforce review. I understand they have done so in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing. The sector is independent of the DHSSPS and is not obliged to provide workforce data to the Department.

The Health and Social Care Board and Public Health Agency are currently working closely with independent sector providers to review the current workforce within nursing homes.