AQW 18320/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health what plans exist for the recruitment of specialist nurses for Crohn’s Disease and Colitis as part of the Transformation Programme; and to outline the timescale for recruitment.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 4 May 2021
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 4 May 2021
- Answer due by
- 19 May 2021
- Answered
- 1 July 202158 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
In line with the Nursing and Midwifery Task Group Recommendations (March 2020), the Department is committed to taking forward investment in post graduate education to increase the capacity and capability within the nursing workforce, which includes building a resource of specialist and advanced nursing roles to improve health outcomes.
Currently funding is in place for 14.5 WTE plus 1 part time Inflammatory Bowel Nurse (IBD) nurse specialists across the region. The Belfast Health & Social Care Trust is developing a business for further investment and recruitment of an IBD consultant specialising in the transition of children and young people into adult services, and a further adult IBD nurse specialist. It is not possible to provide a timescale for recruitment at present. Additional investment in recent years has also enabled the Northern Trust to enhance the IBD service, including the recruitment of 2 WTE IBD Nurse Specialists.