Congress report - European Health Forum Gastein

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European Health Forum Gastein 2001
Although most countries, as can be seen in the table, had sufficient numbers of general
nurses, there was a shortage of nurses in speciality areas. In Ireland and the UK, two of the
countries currently with the greatest problems in relation to shortage of nurses, had an
oversupply in 1990 / 92.
However, Ireland did not have sufficient training places for specialist nurses and was reliant
on the UK for nurses to undertake specialist education. In all countries entry places for
nursing was restricted and countries indicated that there was a decreasing interest /
attractiveness in training for nursing.
• On what basis did countries decide on the number of training places
required to meet service needs and to meet changes in the workforce
movement, e.g. retirement, emigration, education, shorter hours, different
opportunities?
There is no evidence to suggest that training places for either nurses or doctors were based
on accurate research data of service needs or changing workforce requirements.
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