Nurse-to-Patient Ratio per Shift Expected to Be Implemented in 2028, Medical Reform Foundation Calls for Review and Oversight with 5 Points
The Medical Reform Foundation issued five calls regarding the legalization of the nurse-to-patient ratio per shift, expected to be implemented in 2028, emphasizing the immediate review of its calculation system, the establishment of monitoring mechanisms, incorporation of social accountability, setting up oversight units, and addressing the fundamental issue of manpower shortage to avoid inflated numbers.
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- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 13:52
- 🔍 Collected: May 9, 2026 at 14:01 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 14:15 (13 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, 9th) The nurse-to-patient ratio per shift has been legislated and is expected to be implemented in 2028. The Medical Reform Foundation today issued 5 calls, emphasizing the immediate review of the nurse-to-patient ratio calculation system, the establishment of monitoring mechanisms, the inclusion of social accountability, the establishment of oversight units, and addressing the fundamental problem of manpower shortage to avoid padding.
The draft amendment to the Medical Care Act was passed in its third reading yesterday, officially legalizing the nurse-to-patient ratio per shift. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang subsequently explained that nursing groups hoped for implementation in December 2027, but after considering factors such as year-end and long Lunar New Year holidays, it is scheduled to be implemented on May 1, 2028.
The Taiwan Medical Reform Foundation stated today that the passed version is relatively flexible, and there is more "room for manipulation" in calculations, potentially allowing for laxity and padding. Legalization is by no means the end, but rather the starting point of a true reform challenge.
The statement pointed out that in the reality of an increasing shortage of nursing staff, calculating nurse-to-patient ratios by shift (day, evening, night) and even by department has become an international consensus for improving the nursing labor environment and patient safety. The current nurse-to-patient ratio system per shift has two major fundamental loopholes: lax reporting and inflated calculations. If these are not resolved, legalization will become a sham and unable to truly improve the clinical situation.
In addition, the Medical Reform Foundation stated that the government should not shift focus with the "ward closure effect." The fundamental reason for ward closures and extended waiting times is the long-term shortage of nursing staff. Legalization is precisely to make long-standing malpractices no longer invisible. The government and the medical community must face the shortage of manpower, rather than continuing to let nurses pay the price of overwork, errors, and resignation.
The Medical Reform Foundation put forward 5 calls: First, immediately review the nurse-to-patient ratio calculation system, otherwise, without credible reporting data, legalization is just a sham. Second, after legalization, regular reviews can be conducted, but they must be meaningful. The Ministry of Health and Welfare should introduce "Nursing Hours Per Patient Day" (NHPPD) as an auxiliary indicator.
The Medical Reform Foundation stated that, third, it opposes the government's long-standing decision-making model of secret negotiations with hospital operators. The Ministry of Health and Welfare should proactively disclose all relevant implementation data and accept social scrutiny. Fourth, a unit should be established to regularly publicize NHPPD reports and invite external experts, including labor unions, for review. Finally, it is crucial to recognize that the nursing manpower shortage is a result of long-term deteriorating working conditions, low wages, limited career development, and policy failures. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150509
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(Central News Agency reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, 9th) The nurse-to-patient ratio per shift has been legislated and is expected to be implemented in 2028. The Medical Reform Foundation today issued 5 calls, emphasizing the immediate review of the nurse-to-patient ratio calculation system, the establishment of monitoring mechanisms, the inclusion of social accountability, the establishment of oversight units, and addressing the fundamental problem of manpower shortage to avoid padding.
The draft amendment to the Medical Care Act was passed in its third reading yesterday, officially legalizing the nurse-to-patient ratio per shift. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang subsequently explained that nursing groups hoped for implementation in December 2027, but after considering factors such as year-end and long Lunar New Year holidays, it is scheduled to be implemented on May 1, 2028.
The Taiwan Medical Reform Foundation stated today that the passed version is relatively flexible, and there is more "room for manipulation" in calculations, potentially allowing for laxity and padding. Legalization is by no means the end, but rather the starting point of a true reform challenge.
The statement pointed out that in the reality of an increasing shortage of nursing staff, calculating nurse-to-patient ratios by shift (day, evening, night) and even by department has become an international consensus for improving the nursing labor environment and patient safety. The current nurse-to-patient ratio system per shift has two major fundamental loopholes: lax reporting and inflated calculations. If these are not resolved, legalization will become a sham and unable to truly improve the clinical situation.
In addition, the Medical Reform Foundation stated that the government should not shift focus with the "ward closure effect." The fundamental reason for ward closures and extended waiting times is the long-term shortage of nursing staff. Legalization is precisely to make long-standing malpractices no longer invisible. The government and the medical community must face the shortage of manpower, rather than continuing to let nurses pay the price of overwork, errors, and resignation.
The Medical Reform Foundation put forward 5 calls: First, immediately review the nurse-to-patient ratio calculation system, otherwise, without credible reporting data, legalization is just a sham. Second, after legalization, regular reviews can be conducted, but they must be meaningful. The Ministry of Health and Welfare should introduce "Nursing Hours Per Patient Day" (NHPPD) as an auxiliary indicator.
The Medical Reform Foundation stated that, third, it opposes the government's long-standing decision-making model of secret negotiations with hospital operators. The Ministry of Health and Welfare should proactively disclose all relevant implementation data and accept social scrutiny. Fourth, a unit should be established to regularly publicize NHPPD reports and invite external experts, including labor unions, for review. Finally, it is crucial to recognize that the nursing manpower shortage is a result of long-term deteriorating working conditions, low wages, limited career development, and policy failures. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150509
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.