In order to address Taiwan’s congested emergency department (ED) system, National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) Superintendent Dr. Yu Chong-Jen (余忠仁) has called on the government to allow foreign nursing assistants. The nursing community has responded positively while also emphasizing that foreign nurses should not replace domestic nursing staff.

ED overcrowding has become a widespread problem in Taiwan, with the root cause being a shortage of nursing staff, which further results in reduced inpatient bed capacity. Taiwan Union of Nurses Association (TUNA) President Chen Li-chin (陳麗琴) explained in an interview on Tuesday that the Health MInistry is currently promoting an integrated care program enabling nursing assistants, who have graduated from nursing programs, and care assistants, who have not received such training, to work together, alleviating this burden. 

Chen said she is optimistic about the introduction of foreign nurses as they would reduce the workload and improve efficiency. However, she stressed that they must not replace Taiwanese nurses, and that Chinese language proficiency will be essential.

One senior nursing professional who wished to remain anonymous pointed out that while long-term care facilities in Taiwan allow foreign caregivers to work, hospitals have not. While she supports hospitals hiring foreign nursing assistants, she believes there should be a more detailed division of labor. This would better enhance overall medical safety and quality of care, she said.