In an attempt to make the profession more attractive, the Ministry of Health has updated the competencies of nurses and midwives. They have more powers in several areas; they can administer certain medicines or do so-called triage, i.e. sorting patients. The Chamber of Nurses perceives the decree positively, saying that it is a legalization of services that nurses already do. However, it is still not a systemic solution.
According to their chamber, at least 12,000 nurses are missing from the Slovak healthcare system. They have been calling for the adjustment of competencies for years. The Ministry of Health described the step as one of the fundamental ones, after months of preparation they published new rules.
"The said decree expands the competences of nurses and midwives so that they can perform a wider range of activities independently, which will primarily benefit the availability of health care for the patient," explained the spokesperson of the department, Andrej Walner.
Newly, they can do, for example, triage, i.e. sort patients according to the severity of their condition. But also skin tests in allergy clinics. They will also have more options in the care of newborns and many other services. According to the Chamber of Nurses and Midwives, the step will increase the attractiveness of the profession.
The Association of Outpatient Providers points out that further steps must be taken, including salary evaluation and the adjustment of education so that all nurses and midwives have enough knowledge and experience to perform broader competencies.
(STVR)
