Minister of Health endorses new nurses Professional Standards

28 November 2017, 12:00AM

The Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr. Talalelei Tuitama, has put his weight behind the Samoa Professional Standards for Nursing Practice launched last week as one of the events to commemorate the Samoa Nurses Association’s first 100 years of service to the country.

In launching the document, Tuitama said the document would provide “the benchmark for ethical, competent, quality and safe nursing practice in Samoa.”

“This document is to protect the health and safety of the public by setting out the standards for nursing and ensuring that nurses are competent to practice and practice in an ethical manner,” said the Minister.

He noted that the nurse’s standards clearly set out the expected ethics or values or principles that govern the way nurses interact with the public health clients and patients, a patient’s family, each other and other healthcare professionals. 

“This document also establishes the competencies or knowledge-based and experience-honed skills needed by all nursing professionals in the performance of their nursing services,” Tuitama said.

He encourages all nurses to always ensure and follow the new standards and warned that any breaches may well result in disciplinary processes as set out in the Healthcare Professions Registrations and Standards Act 2007.

 “As minister of Health I urge you all to uphold these National Standards: to always put your clients and patients at the centre of all your nursing work,” concluded the Health Minister.

The following is what the Minister said:

“I am very happy to be here with you today to officially launch the Samoa Professional Standards for Nursing Practice.

I congratulate the Ministry of Health and the Samoa Nursing and Midwifery Council for this work which is vital to provide the benchmark for ethical, competent, quality and safe nursing practice in Samoa.

This document is to protect the health and safety of the public by setting out the standards for nursing and ensuring that nurses are competent to practice and practice in an ethical manner.

These nurses Standards clearly set out the expected ethics or values or principles that govern the way nurses interact with the public health clients and patients, a patient’s family, each other and other healthcare professionals.

This document also establishes the competencies or knowledge-based and experience-honed skills needed by all nursing professionals in the performance of their nursing services.

Nursing as you will all be aware is a profession within the health care sector which is focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life.

It plays a vital role in assuring health and well-being in all settings.

These standards have been reviewed and amended to reflect the ever-changing health care environment that nurses practice in. The last review was in 2007.

I encourage all nurses in Samoa to always ensure you follow these Standards.

You need to become very familiar with them as they govern the manner in which you approach and deliver your nursing services.

Breach of these may well result in disciplinary processes as set out in the Healthcare Professions Registrations and Standards Act 2007.

As minister of Health I urge you all to uphold these National Standards: to always put your clients and patients at the centre of all your nursing work.”

28 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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