Shih Chung-liang: Discussion on Nurse-to-Patient Ratio Standard to Commence Soon, Buffer Period Required
Taiwan's Minister of Health and Welfare, Shih Chung-liang, stated that discussions on legalizing the 'three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio' will begin soon, emphasizing the need for a buffer period and comprehensive配套 (supporting measures) to prevent negative impacts like hospital closures or increased patient waiting times.
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- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 16:59
- 🔍 Collected: May 2, 2026 at 17:31 (32 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 2, 2026 at 17:36 (5 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Taipei, May 2nd, Central News Agency reporter Shen Pei-yao) Nursing groups are urgently calling for the substantial legalization of the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio before May 20th. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang emphasized today that a buffer period and comprehensive supporting measures are necessary to avoid side effects such as hospital closures and increased patient waiting times. A task force will be established soon to discuss this.
In July 2024, the Executive Yuan approved the "12 Strategies Plan for Optimizing Nursing Manpower Policy," which included the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio being legalized within two years and reaching its target within four years. As the two-year deadline approaches, Shih Chung-liang recently announced that a "Medical Human Resources Optimization Research and Promotion Task Force" will be established soon. In principle, it will aim to regulate this based on the medical institution establishment standards authorized by the Medical Act, and discussions for revisions will commence.
However, nursing groups are dissatisfied, questioning the delay in the timeline and threatening to protest in front of the Ministry of Health and Welfare on May 5th, demanding that the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio be substantially legalized before May 20th.
Responding to the calls from nursing groups, Shih Chung-liang attended the "2026 15th Nightingale Award Ceremony" hosted by the Cih Yueh Social Welfare Charity Foundation this afternoon. Before the ceremony, he stated in a media interview that the government has been promoting 12 major strategies for nursing reform in recent years. Based on observations, the salaries of most hospital nurses have improved, and by the end of last year, nursing manpower had returned to pre-COVID-19 (2019 Coronavirus Disease) pandemic levels.
Shih Chung-liang explained that few countries have strict legalization of the "three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio." The United States and Australia only implement it in some regions, while nearby Japan and South Korea do not. Although legalization has positive effects on medical quality and personnel satisfaction, implementing it abruptly when there is insufficient manpower could lead to side effects such as hospital closures and increased patient waiting times. Therefore, careful evaluation is necessary.
"In fact, Taiwan legalized the full-day nurse-to-patient ratio many years ago, which is Article 12 of the medical institution establishment standards, a regulation authorized by the Medical Act," Shih Chung-liang emphasized. He added that the "Medical Human Resources Optimization Research and Promotion Task Force" will be launched soon, inviting various sectors to confirm the wording, and then announce it. "The wording is not difficult; the focus is on the implementation plans and buffer period."
The current three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio standards are: 1:6 for day shifts, 1:9 for evening shifts, and 1:11 for night shifts in medical centers; 1:7 for day shifts, 1:11 for evening shifts, and 1:13 for night shifts in regional hospitals; and 1:10 for day shifts, 1:13 for evening shifts, and 1:15 for night shifts in district hospitals. Hospitals that meet the standards early can receive more incentive payments.
Regarding whether the current standards will be used for the legalization ratio, Shih Chung-liang stated that they can serve as a basis for discussion. However, medical manpower fluctuates, such as job-hopping after the Lunar New Year, and a gap in manpower as nursing graduates need to obtain their national examination licenses in August or September before entering the workforce. Regulations must consider flexibility to avoid excessive impact.
Shih Chung-liang reiterated that the relevant procedures for legalization will be launched soon, and discussions will focus on guidance methods, calculation criteria, and buffer measures. The goal is to ensure stable policy implementation, rather than merely "empty legalization" that cannot be executed. This is the key to improving the nursing environment. (Edited by Li Hen-shan) 1150502
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(Taipei, May 2nd, Central News Agency reporter Shen Pei-yao) Nursing groups are urgently calling for the substantial legalization of the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio before May 20th. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang emphasized today that a buffer period and comprehensive supporting measures are necessary to avoid side effects such as hospital closures and increased patient waiting times. A task force will be established soon to discuss this.
In July 2024, the Executive Yuan approved the "12 Strategies Plan for Optimizing Nursing Manpower Policy," which included the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio being legalized within two years and reaching its target within four years. As the two-year deadline approaches, Shih Chung-liang recently announced that a "Medical Human Resources Optimization Research and Promotion Task Force" will be established soon. In principle, it will aim to regulate this based on the medical institution establishment standards authorized by the Medical Act, and discussions for revisions will commence.
However, nursing groups are dissatisfied, questioning the delay in the timeline and threatening to protest in front of the Ministry of Health and Welfare on May 5th, demanding that the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio be substantially legalized before May 20th.
Responding to the calls from nursing groups, Shih Chung-liang attended the "2026 15th Nightingale Award Ceremony" hosted by the Cih Yueh Social Welfare Charity Foundation this afternoon. Before the ceremony, he stated in a media interview that the government has been promoting 12 major strategies for nursing reform in recent years. Based on observations, the salaries of most hospital nurses have improved, and by the end of last year, nursing manpower had returned to pre-COVID-19 (2019 Coronavirus Disease) pandemic levels.
Shih Chung-liang explained that few countries have strict legalization of the "three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio." The United States and Australia only implement it in some regions, while nearby Japan and South Korea do not. Although legalization has positive effects on medical quality and personnel satisfaction, implementing it abruptly when there is insufficient manpower could lead to side effects such as hospital closures and increased patient waiting times. Therefore, careful evaluation is necessary.
"In fact, Taiwan legalized the full-day nurse-to-patient ratio many years ago, which is Article 12 of the medical institution establishment standards, a regulation authorized by the Medical Act," Shih Chung-liang emphasized. He added that the "Medical Human Resources Optimization Research and Promotion Task Force" will be launched soon, inviting various sectors to confirm the wording, and then announce it. "The wording is not difficult; the focus is on the implementation plans and buffer period."
The current three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio standards are: 1:6 for day shifts, 1:9 for evening shifts, and 1:11 for night shifts in medical centers; 1:7 for day shifts, 1:11 for evening shifts, and 1:13 for night shifts in regional hospitals; and 1:10 for day shifts, 1:13 for evening shifts, and 1:15 for night shifts in district hospitals. Hospitals that meet the standards early can receive more incentive payments.
Regarding whether the current standards will be used for the legalization ratio, Shih Chung-liang stated that they can serve as a basis for discussion. However, medical manpower fluctuates, such as job-hopping after the Lunar New Year, and a gap in manpower as nursing graduates need to obtain their national examination licenses in August or September before entering the workforce. Regulations must consider flexibility to avoid excessive impact.
Shih Chung-liang reiterated that the relevant procedures for legalization will be launched soon, and discussions will focus on guidance methods, calculation criteria, and buffer measures. The goal is to ensure stable policy implementation, rather than merely "empty legalization" that cannot be executed. This is the key to improving the nursing environment. (Edited by Li Hen-shan) 1150502
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide strengthens the power of safeguarding press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "Firsthand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
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