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Repetition

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy concerning nursing services and nursing personnel. Nursing education and training. In response to the Committee’s 2014 comments, the Government reports that its training programme for nurses was supplemented in 2014 to provide nursing education and training in accordance with the standards established in relevant directives of the European Council on the recognition of professional qualifications (2005/36/EC) and on administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System (Directive 2013/55/EU). The Government further indicates that the Regulations governing the professional development of health workers and health assistants were amended in 2017 to include courses on quality and safety in healthcare. In this respect, the Committee notes that all health professionals in Slovenia are required to complete such courses once every seven years. The Government adds that, as of 2016, the proportion of men in the nursing sector in Slovenia was 13.8 per cent, representing a 2.3 per cent increase from 2011. The Committee notes, however, that the ratio of nursing personnel to the population remains low. According to Eurostat, in 2016, there were 307 nursing professionals per 100,000 people, including only nine practising midwives, the lowest ratio recorded in Europe that year.Noting that the Government has provided no updated information on the implementation of the national programmes listed in the Committee’s previous comments, the Committee reiterates its request that the Government supply detailed updated information on the national programmes and their outcomes, including information on any developments concerning the short-cycle higher education programmes, higher education study programmes for senior nurses or other long-term education initiatives, as well as any other programmes relevant to the employment conditions of nursing personnel. Moreover, taking account of the shortage of nursing personnel, particularly midwives, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to ensure access to quality nursing care, including access to midwifery care, particularly in rural areas.

Article 6. Employment conditions of nursing personnel. Hours of work – Annual holidays with pay. In its 2014 comments, the Committee invited the Government to consider amending the Health Services Act to establish a maximum limit on overtime hours for nursing personnel. In its report, the Government undertakes to consider amending the Health Services Act to establish maximum overtime hours for nursing personnel. The Government further indicates that the collective agreement governing the employment conditions of nursing personnel has not yet been amended to provide for the increased annual leave provided for in section 159 of the Employment Relations Act.The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which it ensures a maximum limit on overtime hours for nursing personnel in both law and practice. The Committee also reiterates its request that the Government provide a copy of the collective agreement once it has been amended.