The establishment of an Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery was agreed following the 2019 Nursing Dispute, with the purpose of carrying out an extensive examination of the nursing and midwifery professions. The Review Body carried out their work for almost two years and finally published their report on March 29th this year. Their recommendations reflect a review of important aspects of the profession in relation to the future of nursing and midwifery in Ireland dealing with a range of issues such as – undergraduate and postgraduate education and development, digital health, nursing and midwifery workforce planning and management, and leadership and governance, in total 47 recommendations. You can read the full report here. In our communications with Chief Nurse Rachel McKenna, we have noted this ambitious programme of work and detailed that such work must align and support the implementation of Sharing the Vision 2020 and Shaping the Future of Intellectual Disability 2018 particularly in matters relating to Capacity and Workforce Planning.

The PNA supports the Expert Review Body’s report where it seeks to strengthen and co-ordinate the integration of Mental Health and Intellectual Disability services with those nurses supported through further investment in aligned Workforce Planning, Educational and Career Pathway.

A national oversight group referred to as the ERB Implementation Oversight Team (IOT) has now been established and is chaired by the Chief Nurse to oversee implementation of the 47 recommendations.  The IOT consists of a confined group of key stakeholders the PNA and other nursing unions along with representatives of the HSE and Department of Health and leads from clinical, operational, HR, finance, policy, and regulation. The first meeting of the IOT was held in November this year, PNA is represented by General Secretary Peter Hughes. The IOT will oversee the development of an action plan, work priorities identified, and the proposed membership and start dates of Implementation Action Groups (IAGs).  The IOT will oversee and report on the progress being made by the Implementation Action Groups whilst referring to Expert Advisors as Required