Launch of new model of care for acute hospital patients

The Final Report on the Enhanced Care Model was launched today by the Minister for Health Simon Harris who called it “another step in ensuring that patient safety is to the fore”.

According to the the Department of Health, the report outlines a new model of care for patients in acute hospitals who need dedicated one to one care or “enhanced care”. 

The new model means that enhanced care will be delivered by a team of specially trained healthcare assistants, supported by the nurses on the ward and senior nurses throughout the hospital.

“This report marks another step in ensuring that patient safety is to the fore when meeting the complex care needs for our most vulnerable patients,” said Minister Harris.  

He added that the work “led by Dr Siobhan O’Halloran, Chief Nursing Officer, is indicative of this Government’s commitment to safe patient care”.    

According to the Department, early results from a pilot project using the new model of care have “demonstrated positive benefits” for patients andstaff.

One of the outcomes from this report is that during the pilot project, the number of agency hours used reduced by 40 per cent, despite the 23 per cent increase in demand for this type of care during that time period.

“This pilot project has improved the way enhanced care is provided to patients, and I fully support other organisations adopting this model of care,” said Minister Harris.  

“I also welcome the ongoing collaboration between the Chief Nursing Office in the Department of Health in Dublin, and the Chief Nursing Office in Northern Ireland, to establish shared principles and recommendations for the provision of enhanced care as part of an all-island approach.”