Three-Shift Nurse-Patient Ratio to Be Phased In from 2027, Medical Centers May Lead Implementation
Taiwan's three-shift nurse-patient ratio policy will be phased in starting May 20, 2027. The Minister of Health and Welfare suggested that medical centers might implement it first, addressing the challenge of nursing staff shortages.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 18:48
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 19:02 (13 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 05:12 (10h 10m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Reporters Chen Chieh-ling, Tseng Yi-ning, Taipei, 12th) The three-shift nurse-patient ratio will be implemented in phases starting May 20, 2027. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang said that medical centers are not excluded from leading the implementation. Former National Taiwan University Hospital superintendent Wu Ming-hsien stated that while nursing staff are most lacking, doctors and radiographers are also insufficient, and human resources should be planned holistically.
President Lai Ching-te attended the International Nurses Day joint celebration today and announced that the legalization of the three-shift nurse-patient ratio marks a historic moment for nurses in Taiwan. He also announced that the implementation schedule has been adjusted to phased implementation starting May 20, 2027, and a medical human resources research and improvement task force will be established, with the proportion of nursing committee members not less than one-third.
Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang, interviewed after attending the celebration, said that there is indeed a shortage of nursing staff, but it is impossible to fully fill the gap all at once. Not only is there a disparity between urban and rural areas, but hospitals of different levels also face varying difficulties in recruiting nurses. If the three-shift nurse-patient ratio is to be implemented in phases in the future, these two major factors must be considered as a basis.
Shih Chung-liang stated that the team has been discussing how to reduce the impact of implementing the new system on medical care, hoping that hospitals will not face pressure to meet standards due to insufficient nursing staff, leading to bed closures and affecting patients' right to medical care. President Lai today provided an important reference for starting one year earlier. According to a survey in December last year, the shortage of nursing staff for acute general beds is approximately 3,000 to 5,000 if hospitals are to meet the three-shift nurse-patient ratio.
Shih Chung-liang said that the number of staff in March this year increased by 4,900 compared to the same period last year, with about 60% to 65% remaining in hospitals and half of them working in acute general beds. In other words, about 1,500 nurses can be added to acute general beds annually, and the shortage of 3,000 people is expected to be barely filled by the second half of next year.
However, he also stated that it is still necessary to continuously accelerate the replenishment of nursing staff through various retention measures. If the new system is implemented prematurely, especially in remote or small hospitals, more supporting measures will be needed.
Shih Chung-liang said that because large hospitals and urban hospitals have recruitment advantages, "everyone likes to go to big temples," which may squeeze nursing staff from remote or small hospitals. The future strategy will be to have medical centers lead the first phase of implementation next year.
In addition, some medical and nursing groups hoped that nursing committee members of the medical human resources research and improvement task force would account for at least one-half. Shih Chung-liang believes that discussions on policy promotion must include relevant stakeholders, and the general principle is to allow everyone to fully express their opinions. If the composition of stakeholders is too imbalanced, it will be difficult to reach a consensus, and attention should be paid to balance in the composition of members.
Regarding recent remarks about the three-shift nurse-patient ratio, "if you're afraid of it failing, just vote for President Lai again," which was criticized as a gaffe, Shih Chung-liang said that with today's result, everyone will definitely vote for President Lai again. He might have spoken too quickly yesterday and has always been outspoken. He apologizes if anyone misunderstood or felt uncomfortable because of his haste.
Former National Taiwan University Hospital superintendent and current National Taiwan University College of Medicine dean Wu Ming-hsien attended a constipation health education press conference today and was asked about the three-shift nurse-patient ratio issue. He stated that nurses are on the front line of medical care and are important members of the medical team, and no one should disagree with the nurse-patient ratio. From the perspective of medical professionals, everyone welcomes it.
However, Wu Ming-hsien also stated that healthcare is a team effort, and nursing and doctors are two major soul figures. If there is insufficient staff, medical care cannot be performed.
He believes that although the shortage of nurses is particularly severe, it does not mean that other medical professionals are not lacking, such as radiographers and other medical personnel or hospital doctors, human resources are also an issue. Under an aging and declining birthrate society, all industries face talent shortages, and human resources should be considered holistically. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150512
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(Reporters Chen Chieh-ling, Tseng Yi-ning, Taipei, 12th) The three-shift nurse-patient ratio will be implemented in phases starting May 20, 2027. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang said that medical centers are not excluded from leading the implementation. Former National Taiwan University Hospital superintendent Wu Ming-hsien stated that while nursing staff are most lacking, doctors and radiographers are also insufficient, and human resources should be planned holistically.
President Lai Ching-te attended the International Nurses Day joint celebration today and announced that the legalization of the three-shift nurse-patient ratio marks a historic moment for nurses in Taiwan. He also announced that the implementation schedule has been adjusted to phased implementation starting May 20, 2027, and a medical human resources research and improvement task force will be established, with the proportion of nursing committee members not less than one-third.
Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang, interviewed after attending the celebration, said that there is indeed a shortage of nursing staff, but it is impossible to fully fill the gap all at once. Not only is there a disparity between urban and rural areas, but hospitals of different levels also face varying difficulties in recruiting nurses. If the three-shift nurse-patient ratio is to be implemented in phases in the future, these two major factors must be considered as a basis.
Shih Chung-liang stated that the team has been discussing how to reduce the impact of implementing the new system on medical care, hoping that hospitals will not face pressure to meet standards due to insufficient nursing staff, leading to bed closures and affecting patients' right to medical care. President Lai today provided an important reference for starting one year earlier. According to a survey in December last year, the shortage of nursing staff for acute general beds is approximately 3,000 to 5,000 if hospitals are to meet the three-shift nurse-patient ratio.
Shih Chung-liang said that the number of staff in March this year increased by 4,900 compared to the same period last year, with about 60% to 65% remaining in hospitals and half of them working in acute general beds. In other words, about 1,500 nurses can be added to acute general beds annually, and the shortage of 3,000 people is expected to be barely filled by the second half of next year.
However, he also stated that it is still necessary to continuously accelerate the replenishment of nursing staff through various retention measures. If the new system is implemented prematurely, especially in remote or small hospitals, more supporting measures will be needed.
Shih Chung-liang said that because large hospitals and urban hospitals have recruitment advantages, "everyone likes to go to big temples," which may squeeze nursing staff from remote or small hospitals. The future strategy will be to have medical centers lead the first phase of implementation next year.
In addition, some medical and nursing groups hoped that nursing committee members of the medical human resources research and improvement task force would account for at least one-half. Shih Chung-liang believes that discussions on policy promotion must include relevant stakeholders, and the general principle is to allow everyone to fully express their opinions. If the composition of stakeholders is too imbalanced, it will be difficult to reach a consensus, and attention should be paid to balance in the composition of members.
Regarding recent remarks about the three-shift nurse-patient ratio, "if you're afraid of it failing, just vote for President Lai again," which was criticized as a gaffe, Shih Chung-liang said that with today's result, everyone will definitely vote for President Lai again. He might have spoken too quickly yesterday and has always been outspoken. He apologizes if anyone misunderstood or felt uncomfortable because of his haste.
Former National Taiwan University Hospital superintendent and current National Taiwan University College of Medicine dean Wu Ming-hsien attended a constipation health education press conference today and was asked about the three-shift nurse-patient ratio issue. He stated that nurses are on the front line of medical care and are important members of the medical team, and no one should disagree with the nurse-patient ratio. From the perspective of medical professionals, everyone welcomes it.
However, Wu Ming-hsien also stated that healthcare is a team effort, and nursing and doctors are two major soul figures. If there is insufficient staff, medical care cannot be performed.
He believes that although the shortage of nurses is particularly severe, it does not mean that other medical professionals are not lacking, such as radiographers and other medical personnel or hospital doctors, human resources are also an issue. Under an aging and declining birthrate society, all industries face talent shortages, and human resources should be considered holistically. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts; your sponsorship is the power that protects 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, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.