Angeliki TapakoudeHead of Nursing Services

Ministry of Health, Cyprus

Nursing Services in Cyprus

Present and Future

Challenges

Outline of Presentation

Basic Principles of Nursing Care in Cyprus

Landmarks of Nursing in Cyprus

Principal Aim of Nursing Services in Cyprus

Areas of Nursing Care

Framework of PHC Nursing in Cyprus

Basic principles of PHC in Cyprus

Areas of Nursing in PHC

Planning and Development of Nursing Personnel

Strategy for safe staffing

Future goals of Nursing Services

Next steps

Basic Principles of Nursing in Cyprus

Dedication to care

Respect of Human Rights

Tackling inequalities in health

Collaborative work

Landmarks of Nursing Development in Cyprus

1988 – Amendment of Nursing

and Midwifery Law (Law, no

2.14/88)

Landmarks of Nursing Development in Cyprus

2003 – Establishment of Nursing Division (Law No.62(11)2003)

Landmarks of Nursing Development in Cyprus 2004 Introduction of Nursing Science into the

established Technological University of Cyprus

2007 First Nursing Students

Upgrading of nursing diplomas to university degree

Principal aim of Nursing Services in Cyprus

Development and Implementation of

Nursing and General Policy for Health that

respond to the real health needs of the

population within the social framework of

today

Areas of Nursing Care

Specialisations:

• Community Nursing

• Midwifery

• Intensive Care

• Nursing of theatre

• Mental Health Nursing

• Emergency Pre-hospital Care

• Nursing Administration

Framework of PHC Nursing in Cyprus

“Primary health care seeks to extend the first level of the health system from sick care to the development

of health…. Primary health care services involve continuity of care, health promotion and education, integration of prevention with sick care, a concern

for population as well as individual health, community involvement and the use of appropriate

technology”

(Alma-Ata 1978)

Basic principles of PHC in Cyprus Fair and equitable accessible to health care

services Inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary collaboration

with equality of all health care team members Disease and injury prevention, health protection

and health promotion Public participation in community development

Areas of Nursing in PHC

Maternal and Child Welfare Centres School Nursing Nursing in Primary Health Care Centres Home Nursing Child and adolescent community mental health

nursing Community mental health nursing Prison Nursing Nursing of vulnerable groups of the population.

What is safe staffing?

“Safe staffing means that an appropriate number of

staff, with a suitable mix of skill levels, is available

at all times to ensure that patient care needs are

met and that hazard-free working conditions are

maintained”

Strategy for Safe Staffing in Cyprus Improvement of working conditions

Upgrade of nursing education to university level

Implementation of the international practice in relation

to safe staffing ratios

Better utilization of human resources

Adoption of the necessary measures for the

clarification /consolidation of the nursing role

Adoption of the θεσμού of the «Ward Assistant»

It is pioneer against a lot of other countries in the effective confrontation of the problem of safe staffing and nursing shortage.

It is one of few countries that it has achieved that the majority (> 98% ) of nurses employed in the Public sector, fulfill the qualifications required by the EU Directives.

Cyprus ...

Future goals of Nursing in Cyprus Leadership development

Best possible practice in all areas of nursing

Expansion of specialised interventions

Next steps

Home nursing services to be expanded to cover the whole country

Home nursing services for mechanical respiratory support to be implemented in all districts

Establishment of the concept of “Liaison Nursing Counselor” in all big hospitals

Home visits to all families with newborns Continue providing services based on special needs

of vulnerable groups of population such as children, elderly, mental patients, migrants,etc.