Nursing Groups Oppose Hospitals Using Staff Shortages as Excuse for Nurse-to-Patient Ratio Standards
Taiwanese nursing organizations issued a joint statement opposing the annual review and adjustment of nurse-to-patient ratios in medical institution standards. They firmly reject using staff shortages as an exemption for not meeting these ratios, advocating for stable and strictly enforced legislation to ensure patient safety.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 19:40
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 20:02 (21 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chieh-ling, Taipei 7th) Nursing organizations issued a joint statement, asserting that the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio should not be designed for annual review and adjustment. They argue that annual adjustments or changes to the standards would destabilize nursing workforce planning. They firmly oppose using difficulties in recruiting staff as an exemption condition for not meeting the nurse-to-patient ratio.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare will hold a meeting tomorrow with nursing representatives and other relevant medical professional groups to discuss incorporating the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio into medical institution establishment standards. Nursing organizations released a joint statement tonight, clarifying their stance on the relevant nurse-to-patient ratio legislation. They affirm the establishment of a mechanism for nursing professionals to participate but oppose the blurring and flexibility of the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio standards.
The joint statement points out that the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio standard is a core bottom line for patient safety and medical quality, and should not be designed for "annual regular review and adjustment." The nurse-to-patient ratio system requires a stable, predictable, and enforceable legal environment, not annual re-discussions. If it is reviewed, adjusted, or changed annually.
The joint statement mentions that unstable three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio standards would lead to the system being in a long-term state of uncertainty, with various parties repeatedly negotiating and expending large amounts of administrative and social costs. It would be difficult for groups with different positions to reach a consensus, and hospitals and nursing workforce planning would lose stable benchmarks, even allowing the nurse-to-patient ratio to become a tool for political and interest struggles.
The joint statement advocates that the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio standard should be based on patient safety and clinical evidence. Once legislated, it should not be frequently adjusted, nor should discussions be reopened annually, except for major public health events or significant systemic changes.
The joint statement states that they firmly oppose using "difficulties in recruiting staff" as an exemption condition for not meeting the nurse-to-patient ratio. If "recruitment difficulties" can become an exemption reason, then the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio will lose its legislative meaning and effectively render the system a "conditional, not truly implemented" empty shell bill.
The joint statement points out that the nursing community supports a reasonable buffer period and understands that the implementation of the system requires supporting measures. However, they absolutely do not accept using "recruitment difficulties" to replace systemic responsibility; using "flexible interpretation" to undermine patient safety; using "exception clauses" to weaken nurses' rights; using vague language to delay the implementation of reforms; or annually reopening reviews to destabilize the system.
The joint statement believes that true reform should require the government, the health insurance system, and hospitals to collectively improve, including nurses' salaries and retention systems, workload and workplace environment, nursing support systems, total bed count and staffing management. The incorporation of the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio into establishment standards should have a clear implementation timeline and legal responsibilities, ensuring the substantive participation of nursing professional groups in decision-making. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150507
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(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chieh-ling, Taipei 7th) Nursing organizations issued a joint statement, asserting that the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio should not be designed for annual review and adjustment. They argue that annual adjustments or changes to the standards would destabilize nursing workforce planning. They firmly oppose using difficulties in recruiting staff as an exemption condition for not meeting the nurse-to-patient ratio.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare will hold a meeting tomorrow with nursing representatives and other relevant medical professional groups to discuss incorporating the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio into medical institution establishment standards. Nursing organizations released a joint statement tonight, clarifying their stance on the relevant nurse-to-patient ratio legislation. They affirm the establishment of a mechanism for nursing professionals to participate but oppose the blurring and flexibility of the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio standards.
The joint statement points out that the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio standard is a core bottom line for patient safety and medical quality, and should not be designed for "annual regular review and adjustment." The nurse-to-patient ratio system requires a stable, predictable, and enforceable legal environment, not annual re-discussions. If it is reviewed, adjusted, or changed annually.
The joint statement mentions that unstable three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio standards would lead to the system being in a long-term state of uncertainty, with various parties repeatedly negotiating and expending large amounts of administrative and social costs. It would be difficult for groups with different positions to reach a consensus, and hospitals and nursing workforce planning would lose stable benchmarks, even allowing the nurse-to-patient ratio to become a tool for political and interest struggles.
The joint statement advocates that the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio standard should be based on patient safety and clinical evidence. Once legislated, it should not be frequently adjusted, nor should discussions be reopened annually, except for major public health events or significant systemic changes.
The joint statement states that they firmly oppose using "difficulties in recruiting staff" as an exemption condition for not meeting the nurse-to-patient ratio. If "recruitment difficulties" can become an exemption reason, then the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio will lose its legislative meaning and effectively render the system a "conditional, not truly implemented" empty shell bill.
The joint statement points out that the nursing community supports a reasonable buffer period and understands that the implementation of the system requires supporting measures. However, they absolutely do not accept using "recruitment difficulties" to replace systemic responsibility; using "flexible interpretation" to undermine patient safety; using "exception clauses" to weaken nurses' rights; using vague language to delay the implementation of reforms; or annually reopening reviews to destabilize the system.
The joint statement believes that true reform should require the government, the health insurance system, and hospitals to collectively improve, including nurses' salaries and retention systems, workload and workplace environment, nursing support systems, total bed count and staffing management. The incorporation of the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio into establishment standards should have a clear implementation timeline and legal responsibilities, ensuring the substantive participation of nursing professional groups in decision-making. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150507
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.