Congress report - European Health Forum Gastein

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European Health Forum Gastein 2001
is not the solution and is, to say least, unethical, and in many cases that surplus may be as
a result of an under-resourced and underdeveloped health service, e.g. India, Africa, Eastern
Europe.
How Did The Crisis in Nursing and Medical Manpower Arise? What went wrong?
The most common reasons cited by all EU countries include:
1. Lack of manpower planning
2. Decreasing attractiveness
3. Low pay
4. Poor image
5. Restricted / reduced entry numbers
6. Increased career choices
7. Inflexible working arrangements
8. Lack of career progression
9. Perception of being undervalued
10. Poor conditions of employment
11. Heavy workload
12. Stress
As already stated, the single most common reason in all countries in relation to the current
labour crisis in all health professional groups was a lack of information in respect of the
number of health service employees and the future healthcare needs. There was no
monitoring of a changing climate among these workers.
An increase in the gender balance among junior doctors saw more women in medical practice
who would require time out for family reasons, job sharing, part-time work, who would have
more difficulty in career advancement and who were likely to change career or retire from the
service because the conditions of employment did not suit family responsibilities. This is
equally the case for nurses. The greatest influencing factor in decreasing attractiveness for
prospective students taking a career in healthcare is low pay, stress, workload, poor image
of the profession and shift work. Students over the last decade have been given a range of
very attractive career choices, which give them better pay for a less stressful occupation,
regular hours and better conditions of employment.
Changes in medical care: e.g. increasing technology and intervention, more dependant
patients, increasing elderly, changing health needs, e.g. road accidents, AIDS, unhealthy
lifestyle, drugs, smoking, alcohol abuse has led to a greater demand for healthcare and,
consequently, the need for more doctors and nurses.
Reasons for Mobility of Nurses:
1. Economic / Employment
2. Recruitment
3. Travel
4. Education
5. Migration / Emigration
6. Career Advancement
7. Greater Opportunities
The single greatest reason for mobility of large numbers of nurses is economic i.e. improved
pay and conditions of employment. Nurses moved from Ireland to the UK, the United Arab
Emirates, USA, and Australia in the 80’s primarily to make money, and secondary to travel.
Many workers left Ireland for employment and economic reasons. However, when the
economic climate in Ireland improved the pattern changed and Irish people returned to the
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