The provision of high quality health and social care services depends on having a sufficiently numerous and appropriately trained workforce in place at national, regional and local levels.\ud
In June 2016, the Department of Health convened a Cross-Sectoral Steering Group to develop a strategic framework for health and social care workforce planning for Ireland that will support the recruitment and retention of the right mix of health workers across the health system to meet planned and projected service need.\ud
Chaired by the Department of Health, the Group comprised representatives of key Government Departments and agencies, in addition to international and academic members.\ud
The Steering Group met on 9 occasions between 1st July 2016 and 3rd October 2017 and, in the course of its work, undertook a stakeholder consultation process on its draft proposals during the second and third quarters of 2017.\ud
In line with its Terms of Reference, this report sets out the Group’s proposals for a national strategic framework for health and social care workforce planning in Ireland, taking into account relevant global, regional and national developments, and underpinned by the analysis and stakeholder engagement undertaken