MOHW Plans Nurse-to-Patient Ratio Standards; Healthcare Groups Disagree on Penalty Severity

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) plans to amend the "Medical Institution Setting Standards" to discuss nurse-to-patient ratios for the three daily shifts. Hospital operators and nursing groups hold differing views on penalties; while the nursing community advocates for stricter fines to ensure enforcement, medical groups urge against heavy penalties before support measures are fully established to avoid operational disruptions. MOHW Minister Shi Chong-liang stated today that few countries have legislated these ratios, but appropriate regulations can have positive effects. A task force will be formed to discuss amendments to nursing manpower allocation under the standards authorized by the Medical Act. Chen Li-chin, head of the Nurses Association, agreed with using the setting standards for flexibility but reiterated the need for higher penalties to prevent hospital operators from ignoring regulations due to low fines. Conversely, Hung Tzu-jen of the Taiwan College of Healthcare Managers argued for maintaining the principle of "encouragement over punishment," suggesting that if hospitals implement smart technologies to reduce workloads, ratio standards should be adjusted accordingly. Chen also noted that once the standards are implemented, the government should provide budget support and hospitals should improve work environments to retain staff.