Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - French Polynesia

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Article 2(1) of the Convention. National policy on nursing services and nursing personnel. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on any specific measures taken with regard to improving the career prospects of nursing personnel and the quality of nursing care pursuant to its five-year Plan. The Government indicates that several initiatives have been implemented to give effect to the provisions of the Convention, including the Health Planning Blueprint (“schéma d’organisation sanitaire 2016–2021”), adopted in 2016 by decision No. 2016-12 APF of 16 February 2016 approving the Health Planning Blueprint 2016–21. The Government adds that a new training course, for a “University diploma in nursing and primary health care in an island context”, started in May 2017 at the University of French Polynesia. The Committee notes that 27 nurses have benefited from this training since 2016. As regards the distribution of Health Department nurses throughout the archipelagos, the Committee notes that 59 Health Department staff nurses work in the primary health care centres in the Marquesas, Austral and Tuamotu archipelagos, with 13 operating as travelling nurses. As regards preparation for employment, the Government indicates that a new measure for accompanying nurses when taking up their appointments is being introduced progressively to assist new nurses to prepare their entry into the Health Department. New provisions have also been put in place to promote nurses’ career prospects and ensure that State-qualified nurses (IDE) are compensated for overtime hours, and for inconvenient or demanding working hours. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken, particularly regarding the implementation of the Health Planning Blueprint 2016–2021 and the training provided for the “University diploma in nursing and primary health care in an island context”, on improvements in the quality of nursing services and maintaining the attraction of the nursing profession, in particular in rural and distant areas of the country.

Article 7. Occupational safety and health. COVID-19 measures. Noting that the Government has provided no information on the points raised previously by the Committee, in particular on developments concerning the proposals for action formulated as a result of the Polynesian training days on the nature, prevention and management of risks within health structures and on improving the protection of nursing personnel against infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, the Committee again requests the Government to provide up-to-date, detailed information on these points. Moreover, considering that in the context of the COVID-19 world pandemic, nursing personnel, often in close contact with patients, runs a high risk of being infected when treating patients where the presence of COVID-19 is suspected or confirmed, especially when precautions taken to prevent infection, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), are not strictly applied, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the safety measures adopted or envisaged, including the provision of vaccines, PPE and training in its use, as well as the organization of adequate pauses in shift work and the limitation of excessive hours to the extent possible, in order to protect the health and well-being of the nursing personnel and to limit their risk of infection as far as possible.

Point V of the report form. Application in practice. With regard to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the conditions for the right to practise health care and nursing are fixed by Order No. 449CM of 2 April 2009 on acts at work and the exercise of the nursing profession. The Government also indicates that under the scholarship system for students undertaking nursing training at the Mathilde Frébault Training Institute for Health Professionals (IFPS), the successful nursing scholarship laureates commit to serve the administration of the country for a five-year period after graduating, including two years in a hospital or medical centre under the authority of the Health Department and three years in an isolated work station outside Tahiti and Moorea Islands. The Committee notes that in view of the difficulties encountered in the management of this system, the Government has taken steps to simplify the principle of the five-year commitment by scholarship holders. Further measures have been taken to promote expansion of the nursing personnel structure, encourage nurses’ participation in planning nursing services and consult them on decisions affecting them. In this regard, the Committee notes that State-qualified nurses (IDE) are participating in the elaboration of a primary health care establishment project. It also notes the copy of the study on nursing personnel received with the Government’s report, together with the detailed statistical data concerning the distribution of the members of the nursing personnel, in particular between public and private structures. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the application of the Convention in practice, such as the number of persons undertaking training or who graduate from colleges for nursing care each year, the number of men and women nurses working in isolated, rural areas and any other recent information on the application of the Convention in practice.

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Article 2(1) of the Convention. National policy on nursing services and nursing personnel. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the “Health Plan 2001–05” was followed by the “Health Organization Plan 2003–07”, an evaluation of which was undertaken in May 2008 but is not currently available. It also notes that this Plan was not attached to the report, contrary to the Government’s indications. The Committee therefore requests the Government to send a copy of the Plan and its evaluation. It also requests the Government to supply information on any specific measures taken with regard to improving the career prospects of nursing personnel and the quality of nursing care pursuant to this five-year Plan.

Article 7. Occupational safety and health. With reference to its previous comment concerning prevention of the infection of nursing personnel by blood-transmissible agents, the Committee notes the Government’s indication to the effect that a “blood accident protocol” document has existed since 2006. While noting that very few cases of infection by HIV/AIDS have been recorded in French Polynesia, the Committee wishes to refer to the HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200), adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 2010, and in particular Paragraphs 31 and 37 thereof, which provide for the adoption of occupational safety and health measures, particularly in occupations most at risk, including in the health sector, and also for the implementation of national HIV/AIDS policies and programmes through sectoral strategies, with particular attention paid to the sectors in which workers are most at risk.

The Committee also notes that the first Polynesian training days on the nature, prevention and management of risks within health structures took place in Tahiti in November 2007. As a result, proposals for action are being drawn up with a view to improving nursing careers. The Committee requests the Government to supply detailed information on any new developments concerning the proposals for action formulated as a result of the Polynesian training days on the nature, prevention and management of risks within health structures. It also requests the Government to continue to supply information on any new developments or initiatives in this sphere with a view to improving the protection of nursing personnel against infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide up-to-date information on the organization of health-care services (number of hospitals, clinics and health centres, geographical distribution of medical facilities, nurse-to-population ratio, changes in the numbers of nursing staff in recent years), and also on any broader issues having an impact on the quality of nursing services (financial situation of health establishments, human resources management, medical research and new technologies, etc.). It also requests the Government to supply copies of official reports or studies relating to nursing services, as well as information on any practical difficulties encountered in the implementation of the Convention, such as understaffing, the migration of nursing personnel, etc.

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The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report and the attached documentation.

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to the "Health Plan 2001-2005", approved by the Assembly of French Polynesia through Deliberation No. 2001-153/APF of 30 August 2001, which sets out the main policy objectives and priorities in the field of public health. The Committee would be particularly interested in receiving information on concrete measures implementing the five-year plan and the practical results obtained in terms of professional advancement and quality of nursing care.

Article 7. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to different documents concerning the prevention of the infection of nursing personnel by blood-transmissible agents. It asks the Government to keep it informed of any further developments or initiatives on these matters.

In addition, the Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the adoption in April 2005 of the Joint ILO/WHO Guidelines on Health Services and HIV/AIDS, which aim at promoting sound management of HIV/AIDS in health services providing, among other things, for wide-ranging and practical approaches to protection, training, screening, treatment, confidentiality, prevention, the minimizing of occupational risk and the care and support of health-care workers. The Committee trusts that the Government will give due consideration to these guidelines with a view to improving existing laws and regulations on occupational health and safety for nursing personnel.

Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government according to which, in 2003, there were 838 nurses employed in the public and private sectors. The Committee also notes that several measures such as job promotion, remunerated internships and scholarships have been taken to facilitate the filling of vacant nursing posts. The Committee would be grateful to the Government for continuing to supply up-to-date information on the organization of health-care services (e.g. number of hospitals, clinics and health centres, geographical distribution of medical facilities, nurse-to-population ratio, evolution of the number of nursing staff in recent years), as well as on any broader issues having an impact on the quality of nursing services (e.g. financial situation of health establishments, human resources management, health research and new technologies, etc.)

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes with interest the detailed information provided by the Government in its report, and the attached documentation. It notes in particular Deliberation No. 98-128 APF of 20 August 1998 providing for the specific conditions of service of nursing personnel in the public service of the territory of French Polynesia, and Deliberation No. 95-249 AT of 14 December 1995 relating to the specific conditions of service of medical auxiliaries in the public service of the territory of French Polynesia, as amended by Deliberation No. 98-35 APF of 17 April 1998 with respect to the final date for applications for integration into the public service of the territory of French Polynesia, Deliberation No. 98-177 AFP of 29 October 1998 amending the Deliberations issuing the specific conditions of service of employment in the public service of the territory of French Polynesia and Deliberation No. 98-186 AFP of 19 November 1998.

Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, no provision has been adopted concerning the services provided by nursing personnel on a voluntary basis. It requests the Government to indicate the measures that it intends to take in future in relation to such personnel.

Article 2, paragraph 1. The Committee notes that the Government refers to the "Health Plan" approved by the Assembly of French Polynesia, which sets out the main lines of the territory’s general policy in the field of health. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of this plan for the period 2000-04, which is currently being validated.

Article 7. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the existing provisions which it indicates give effect to this Article of the Convention. In this respect, the Committee recalls its observation of 1990, reiterated in 1994, concerning the measures to be taken to adapt occupational safety and health legislation to the particular risk of accidental exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among nursing personnel. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged in this respect.

Part V of the report form. The Committee notes, from the information provided by the Government, that the Nursing Care Training Institute trains 25 students annually, of whom around 20 obtain a diploma. The Committee also notes that the number of students produced by the Nursing Care Training Institute is inadequate to ensure the renewal of the posts which are left vacant, which therefore have to be filled by nurses from outside the territory. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the solutions which have been adopted or are envisaged to resolve the problem of replacing nursing personnel upon the departure of non-local personnel, and to indicate the geographical origins of nurses recruited outside the territory. The Committee also requests the Government to continue providing full particulars on the application of the Convention in practice.

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The Committee notes with interest the detailed information provided by the Government in its report, and the attached documentation. It notes in particular Deliberation No. 98-128 APF of 20 August 1998 providing for the specific conditions of service of nursing personnel in the public service of the territory of French Polynesia, and Deliberation No. 95-249 AT of 14 December 1995 relating to the specific conditions of service of medical auxiliaries in the public service of the territory of French Polynesia, as amended by Deliberation No. 98-35 APF of 17 April 1998 with respect to the final date for applications for integration into the public service of the territory of French Polynesia, Deliberation No. 98-177 AFP of 29 October 1998 amending the Deliberations issuing the specific conditions of service of employment in the public service of the territory of French Polynesia and Deliberation No. 98-186 AFP of 19 November 1998.

Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, no provision has been adopted concerning the services provided by nursing personnel on a voluntary basis. It requests the Government to indicate the measures that it intends to take in future in relation to such personnel.

Article 2, paragraph 1. The Committee notes that the Government refers to the "Health Plan" approved by the Assembly of French Polynesia, which sets out the main lines of the territory’s general policy in the field of health. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of this plan for the period 2000-04, which is currently being validated.

Article 7. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the existing provisions which it indicates give effect to this Article of the Convention. In this respect, the Committee recalls its observation of 1990, reiterated in 1994, concerning the measures to be taken to adapt occupational safety and health legislation to the particular risk of accidental exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among nursing personnel. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged in this respect.

Part V of the report form. The Committee notes, from the information provided by the Government, that the Nursing Care Training Institute trains 25 students annually, of whom around 20 obtain a diploma. The Committee also notes that the number of students produced by the Nursing Care Training Institute is inadequate to ensure the renewal of the posts which are left vacant, which therefore have to be filled by nurses from outside the territory. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the solutions which have been adopted or are envisaged to resolve the problem of replacing nursing personnel upon the departure of non-local personnel, and to indicate the geographical origins of nurses recruited outside the territory. The Committee also requests the Government to continue providing full particulars on the application of the Convention in practice.

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The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Government again notes that the Government's report does not deal with the points raised in its previous direct request. It trusts that the Government will not fail to provide full information on the following points in the near future.

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to provide statistics on the number of entrants to the professions covered by the Convention (nurses, nursing aides, auxiliaries, etc.), the numbers of nursing personnel by sector of activity, level of training and function, and as compared to the population, the number of patients and the numbers of other workers in the health sector.

Part V of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to provide information under this point of the report form, on the application of the Convention in practice, in accordance with these provisions of the Convention.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2000.]

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The Committee again notes with regret that the Government's report does not deal with the points raised in its previous direct request. It trusts that the Government will not fail to provide full information on the following points in the near future:

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to provide statistics on the number of entrants to the professions covered by the Convention (nurses, nursing aides, auxiliaries, etc.), the numbers of nursing personnel by sector of activity, level of training and function, and as compared to the population, the number of patients and the numbers of other workers in the health sector.

Point V of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to provide information under this point of the report form, on the application of the Convention in practice, in accordance with these provisions of the Convention.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 1999.]

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The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes again that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the following matters raised in its previous direct request:

Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Convention. Please provide statistics of the number of persons entering the professions covered by the Convention (nurses, auxiliary nurses, nursing aides, etc.), the number of nursing personnel by sector of activity, level of training and function, and in relation to the population, the number of patients and the number of other workers in the health sector.

Point V of the report form. Please provide the information called for by the report form under this point.

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The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the following matters raised in its previous direct request:

Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Convention. Please provide statistics of the number of persons entering the professions covered by the Convention (nurses, auxiliary nurses, nursing aides, etc.), the number of nursing personnel by sector of activity, level of training and function, and in relation to the population, the number of patients and the number of other workers in the health sector.

Point V of the report form. Please provide the information called for by the report form under this point.

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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request:

The Committee asks the Government to provide additional information on the following points:

Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Convention. Please provide statistics of the number of persons entering the professions covered by the Convention (nurses, auxiliary nurses, nursing aides, etc.), the number of nursing personnel by sector of activity, level of training and function, and in relation to the population, the number of patients and the number of other workers in the health sector.

Point V of the report form. Please provide the information called for by the report form under this point.

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The Committee takes note of the Government's first report. It asks the Government to provide additional information on the following points:

Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Convention. Please provide statistics of the number of persons entering the professions covered by the Convention (nurses, auxiliary nurses, nursing aides, etc.), the number of nursing personnel by sector of activity, level of training and function, and in relation to the population, the number of patients and the number of other workers in the health sector.

Point V of the report form. Please provide the information called for by the report form under this point.