This Wednesday, the Federal Council and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider announced that on July 1, in collaboration with the cantons, “a large offensive in terms of training will aim to increase the number of nursing staff”. The federal authorities are thus implementing part of the nursing initiative, accepted by the people in November 2021,
The training offensive comes in three parts. The first must financially support “hospitals, medico-social establishments and home help and care services which offer practical training places for qualified caregivers”.
The second must provide financial support to people who are training in nursing in a 2/3 higher school (ES) or in a specialized university (HES). The third consists of allocating funds to ES and HES to increase the number of training places.
From July 1, for a period limited to eight years, the cantons will be able to request federal contributions. Training in the field of nursing should be financed by the Confederation and the cantons, in equal parts, to the tune of nearly one billion francs over these eight years.
Another new feature from July 1, nursing staff will be able to charge social insurance for certain services without them being prescribed by a doctor. “This change concerns assessment, advice and coordination services as well as basic care,” specifies the Federal Council.
Still following the initiative in favor of nursing care, the Federal Council intends to improve working conditions. He is therefore submitting a bill to this effect for consultation. “Better working conditions should help attract more people to the nursing profession and ensure that they stay in the profession for longer. The lack of nursing staff is in fact largely due to early departures.
The Federal Council wants to regulate the advance communication of service plans: “In order to facilitate planning and improve the balance between private and professional life, service plans must be communicated at least four weeks in advance.”
The Federal Council notes that last-minute and unplanned work assignments “are very stressful and are often cited as a reason for leaving the profession. Last minute changes will remain possible, but must be compensated in the form of leave or financially. The later the communication of service plans, the higher the compensation will have to be.
Finally, the Federal Council proposes lowering the maximum weekly working time to 45 hours, compared to 50 today. The normal weekly working time must be between 38 and 42 hours.
