New Power Party Urges No Delay on Three-Shift Nurse-Patient Ratio, Implement Before Next International Nurses Day
The New Power Party and other groups are urging Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare to implement the three-shift nurse-patient ratio before next year's International Nurses Day, rather than the currently projected May 2028. They expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed implementation and ambiguous inspection mechanisms, emphasizing the need for frontline nurses to have substantial decision-making power.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 15:17
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 15:32 (14 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 06:24 (14h 52m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wang Yang-yu, Taipei, 12th) The planned implementation of the three-shift nurse-patient ratio in two years has sparked discussion. New Power Party Chairperson Wang Wan-yu and others stated today, which is International Nurses Day, that they urge the Ministry of Health and Welfare to officially implement the three-shift nurse-patient ratio by no later than next year's International Nurses Day, to avoid procrastination. They also hope that future reporting and inspection mechanisms will not be lax, and that frontline nursing staff must have substantive decision-making power.
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 Hsueh Jui-yuan (correction: Shih Chung-liang) explained that nursing groups hoped for implementation in December 2027, but considering factors such as year-end and the long Lunar New Year holiday, it is now planned for May 1, 2028, after discussion. This decision has caused dissatisfaction among nursing and hospital union groups.
Regarding the above issue, Wang Wan-yu, along with candidates for city council from the New Power Party, Taiwan Statebuilding Party, Obasan Alliance, and Green Party Taiwan, held a press conference in front of the Qunxian Building of the Legislative Yuan today. They urged the Ministry of Health and Welfare to stop procrastinating and to officially implement the policy by no later than next year's International Nurses Day, while simultaneously studying nurse-patient ratio regulations for special units such as emergency rooms and intensive care units.
Wang Wan-yu also stated that reasonable salaries, adequate staffing, and a safe working environment for nurses are not free. Taiwan's long-standing model of supporting high-quality medical care with low costs has reached its limit. She called on all political parties to set aside political calculations, support National Health Insurance reform, and increase investment in medical care.
Wu Hsin-tai, a Taipei City Councilor candidate from the Taiwan Statebuilding Party and a cardiac surgeon, pointed out that the current Ministry of Health and Welfare has multiple loopholes in its nurse-patient ratio statistics, and policy discussions have long been dominated by hospital management. She urged the Ministry of Health and Welfare to include more representatives from frontline nursing unions. (Edited by Su Lung-chi) 1150512
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(Central News Agency reporter Wang Yang-yu, Taipei, 12th) The planned implementation of the three-shift nurse-patient ratio in two years has sparked discussion. New Power Party Chairperson Wang Wan-yu and others stated today, which is International Nurses Day, that they urge the Ministry of Health and Welfare to officially implement the three-shift nurse-patient ratio by no later than next year's International Nurses Day, to avoid procrastination. They also hope that future reporting and inspection mechanisms will not be lax, and that frontline nursing staff must have substantive decision-making power.
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 Hsueh Jui-yuan (correction: Shih Chung-liang) explained that nursing groups hoped for implementation in December 2027, but considering factors such as year-end and the long Lunar New Year holiday, it is now planned for May 1, 2028, after discussion. This decision has caused dissatisfaction among nursing and hospital union groups.
Regarding the above issue, Wang Wan-yu, along with candidates for city council from the New Power Party, Taiwan Statebuilding Party, Obasan Alliance, and Green Party Taiwan, held a press conference in front of the Qunxian Building of the Legislative Yuan today. They urged the Ministry of Health and Welfare to stop procrastinating and to officially implement the policy by no later than next year's International Nurses Day, while simultaneously studying nurse-patient ratio regulations for special units such as emergency rooms and intensive care units.
Wang Wan-yu also stated that reasonable salaries, adequate staffing, and a safe working environment for nurses are not free. Taiwan's long-standing model of supporting high-quality medical care with low costs has reached its limit. She called on all political parties to set aside political calculations, support National Health Insurance reform, and increase investment in medical care.
Wu Hsin-tai, a Taipei City Councilor candidate from the Taiwan Statebuilding Party and a cardiac surgeon, pointed out that the current Ministry of Health and Welfare has multiple loopholes in its nurse-patient ratio statistics, and policy discussions have long been dominated by hospital management. She urged the Ministry of Health and Welfare to include more representatives from frontline nursing unions. (Edited by Su Lung-chi) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for safeguarding journalistic freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand 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, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.