Nursing Groups Accuse Shih Chung-liang of Dereliction of Duty, Medical Community Calls for Rational View on Three-Shift Nurse-Patient Ratio Buffer Period
Nursing groups in Taiwan accuse Health Minister Shih Chung-liang of dereliction of duty regarding the three-shift nurse-patient ratio. In response, seven medical organizations advocate for a rational understanding of the two-year buffer period, warning against potential hospital bed reductions and emergency room overcrowding, and pledge to accelerate the return of medical talent within this timeframe.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 13:39
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 14:01 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 11, 2026 at 14:46 (44 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Yi-ning, Chen Chieh-ling, Taipei 11th) The issue of the three-shift nurse-patient ratio continues to escalate. The Taiwan Nurses' Union today accused Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang of dereliction of duty at the Control Yuan. In contrast, seven medical organizations called for a rational view of the buffer period to prevent a wave of bed closures and emergency room congestion, while promising to accelerate the return of medical talent within two years.
Shih Chung-liang earlier attended the Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee. When asked by the media about the matter, he only said, "I will not respond anymore."
The amendment to the Medical Care Act passed its third reading on the 8th, officially incorporating the three-shift nurse-patient ratio into law. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang subsequently explained that nursing groups hoped for implementation by December 2027, but considering factors such as the year-end and long Lunar New Year holidays, discussions led to a proposed implementation date of May 1, 2028. This move has sparked dissatisfaction among nursing and hospital unions and other groups.
Chen Yu-feng, consultant for the Taiwan Nurses' Union, lodged a petition in front of the Control Yuan today, accusing Shih Chung-liang of dereliction of duty and favoritism towards medical conglomerates, and announced that they would also file a lawsuit with the district prosecutor's office. She stated that a Legislative Yuan report mentioned the nurse-patient ratio problem as early as 2018, and at that time, the Ministry of Health and Welfare promised active review and improvement, but eight years under the Democratic Progressive Party's administration have seen no improvement.
The Taiwan Hospital Association, Taiwan Private Medical Institutions Association, Taiwan Medical Management Association, Taiwan Medical Center Association, Republic of China Regional Hospital Association, Taiwan Community Hospital Association, and Taiwan Medical Corporate Institutions Association issued a joint statement expressing extreme seriousness and concern about some groups' demand for "immediate implementation after amendment." They emphasized that the two-year buffer period is key to "safe landing of the law" and called for a rational approach.
The statement pointed out that over 30% of medical institutions nationwide have not yet met the legal three-shift nurse-patient ratio requirements. If immediate implementation is forced without sufficient personnel, these institutions will face huge fines, and even be forced to cease operations for one year if punished three times. It takes at least three to six months of solid clinical training to augment hospital staff, and the buffer period ensures that every new nurse possesses stable professional capabilities upon entering clinical practice.
The statement warned that if penalties are imposed immediately without a buffer period, hospitals would have no choice but to reduce beds to avoid legal responsibility, directly impacting the public's right to inpatient medical care. Currently, medical centers and regional hospitals across Taiwan already experience emergency room waiting. If the legal mandate triggers a large-scale wave of bed closures, emergency room congestion will escalate from a warning sign to a disaster.
Medical groups pledged that the buffer period does not mean a vacuum. They will fully promote accelerated talent return, solid training implementation, and smart healthcare transformation within the next two years. They will also increase allowances for day shifts and holidays, enhance retention incentives, and ensure new nurses receive comprehensive education during the buffer period to reduce workplace frustration and turnover rates.
The medical groups expressed hope for a win-win vision where the healthcare system achieves nurse retention, patient safety, and full protection of public medical rights. The amendment is a protective umbrella for nurses, not the last straw to drag down the healthcare system. (Edited by Kuan Chung-wei) 1150511
Choose to stand with facts; your every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "Firsthand News" APP to stay updated instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Yi-ning, Chen Chieh-ling, Taipei 11th) The issue of the three-shift nurse-patient ratio continues to escalate. The Taiwan Nurses' Union today accused Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang of dereliction of duty at the Control Yuan. In contrast, seven medical organizations called for a rational view of the buffer period to prevent a wave of bed closures and emergency room congestion, while promising to accelerate the return of medical talent within two years.
Shih Chung-liang earlier attended the Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee. When asked by the media about the matter, he only said, "I will not respond anymore."
The amendment to the Medical Care Act passed its third reading on the 8th, officially incorporating the three-shift nurse-patient ratio into law. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang subsequently explained that nursing groups hoped for implementation by December 2027, but considering factors such as the year-end and long Lunar New Year holidays, discussions led to a proposed implementation date of May 1, 2028. This move has sparked dissatisfaction among nursing and hospital unions and other groups.
Chen Yu-feng, consultant for the Taiwan Nurses' Union, lodged a petition in front of the Control Yuan today, accusing Shih Chung-liang of dereliction of duty and favoritism towards medical conglomerates, and announced that they would also file a lawsuit with the district prosecutor's office. She stated that a Legislative Yuan report mentioned the nurse-patient ratio problem as early as 2018, and at that time, the Ministry of Health and Welfare promised active review and improvement, but eight years under the Democratic Progressive Party's administration have seen no improvement.
The Taiwan Hospital Association, Taiwan Private Medical Institutions Association, Taiwan Medical Management Association, Taiwan Medical Center Association, Republic of China Regional Hospital Association, Taiwan Community Hospital Association, and Taiwan Medical Corporate Institutions Association issued a joint statement expressing extreme seriousness and concern about some groups' demand for "immediate implementation after amendment." They emphasized that the two-year buffer period is key to "safe landing of the law" and called for a rational approach.
The statement pointed out that over 30% of medical institutions nationwide have not yet met the legal three-shift nurse-patient ratio requirements. If immediate implementation is forced without sufficient personnel, these institutions will face huge fines, and even be forced to cease operations for one year if punished three times. It takes at least three to six months of solid clinical training to augment hospital staff, and the buffer period ensures that every new nurse possesses stable professional capabilities upon entering clinical practice.
The statement warned that if penalties are imposed immediately without a buffer period, hospitals would have no choice but to reduce beds to avoid legal responsibility, directly impacting the public's right to inpatient medical care. Currently, medical centers and regional hospitals across Taiwan already experience emergency room waiting. If the legal mandate triggers a large-scale wave of bed closures, emergency room congestion will escalate from a warning sign to a disaster.
Medical groups pledged that the buffer period does not mean a vacuum. They will fully promote accelerated talent return, solid training implementation, and smart healthcare transformation within the next two years. They will also increase allowances for day shifts and holidays, enhance retention incentives, and ensure new nurses receive comprehensive education during the buffer period to reduce workplace frustration and turnover rates.
The medical groups expressed hope for a win-win vision where the healthcare system achieves nurse retention, patient safety, and full protection of public medical rights. The amendment is a protective umbrella for nurses, not the last straw to drag down the healthcare system. (Edited by Kuan Chung-wei) 1150511
Choose to stand with facts; your every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "Firsthand News" APP to stay updated instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.