Hospital Authority allocates more nursing fund

The Hospital Authority has earmarked an additional $200 million this year to strengthen the recruitment and retaining of nursing manpower. It seeks to improve working conditions and career prospects for nurses.

In response to the survey findings released by a nursing association today, the authority said it is concerned with the heavy workload and pressure faced by frontline nurses, and will study the survey’s findings and recommendations.
 
Some of the recommendations have already been put in place while others have been incorporated into the authority’s annual plan for 2011-12. It is consulting frontline nurses on the enhanced measures, which include: recruiting more than 1,600 nurses to replace turnover and support new services in 2011-12; recruiting experienced nurses on a part-time basis, and issuing special allowances for them to help nurse graduates; alleviating the workload of existing experienced nurses who need to provide guidance; and, providing simulation training on emergency care to nurse graduates at Princess Margaret Hospital.
 
The Institute of Advanced Nursing Studies will provide training for 23 specialties. The authority will support the degree course for registered nurses while the authority will also provide four-week overseas training to advanced-practice nurses.
 
The authority will create additional promotion posts to retain experienced nurses by offering promising career prospects.
 
It will purchase 1,700 electric beds and other equipment to ease nursing work. It will also continue to employ support workers to take up non-nursing duties to reduce the frequency of night shifts.