THE Commission on Nursing would help set the agenda for the profession's development into the next century, the Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, said yesterday. Addressing its inaugural meeting, he said he was pleased the commission had been set up within the time frame outlined by the Labour Court.
"I am confident that all interest groups in the nursing area will cooperate fully with the commission in the onerous schedule of work it will be undertaking," he said.
The commission is being chaired by Ms Justice Mella Carroll, who will produce an interim report in six months. It has the following terms of reference:
. the evolving role of nurses, reflecting their professional development and their role in the overall management of services;
. promotional opportunities and related difficulties;
. structural and work changes appropriate for the effective and efficient discharge of that role;
. the requirements placed on nurses, both in training and delivery of services;
. segmentation of the grade;
. training and education needs.