"94% Shortage of Nurses in Local Medical Centres"…Incheon City Council Passes 'Nursing Workforce Support' Ordinance

A systematic safety net has been established to address the long-standing issue of ‘nursing workforce shortages’ in Incheon’s medical institutions. The aim is to alleviate the chronic manpower shortage faced by local medical centres and improve the working conditions for nurses to provide high-quality medical services to citizens.

According to the Incheon City Council’s Culture and Welfare Committee on the 30th, the 'Incheon Metropolitan City Ordinance on Nursing Workforce Support and Improvement of Nursing Services', proposed by Councillor Jang Seong-sook (Democratic Party of Korea, Proportional), has passed the committee review.

This ordinance is based on the 'Nursing Law' that came into effect in June last year. It is significant in that it clearly defines the responsibilities of the Incheon Mayor regarding the training of nursing personnel, improvement of their treatment, and enhancement of working conditions.

Currently, the medical reality in Incheon is challenging. Statistics indicate that 94% of local medical centres are experiencing a shortage of nurses, and Incheon Medical Centre is also facing disruptions in providing public medical services due to recurring supply and demand issues each year.

In response, the amendment specifies measures such as the establishment of a Nursing Policy Council, support for the training and education of nursing personnel, securing appropriate working hours, improving shift and night work environments, and protecting health rights. The demands consistently raised in the field have been formalised into the ordinance to enhance its effectiveness.

Councillor Jang Seong-sook, who proposed the ordinance, emphasised that improving the quality of life for nurses ultimately leads to enhanced patient safety and medical service quality. The argument is that stable staffing is essential for maintaining skilled medical services.

Councillor Jang stated, “The expansion of nursing personnel is not merely an issue for a specific profession, but a crucial task for all 3 million citizens of Incheon to enjoy a safe medical environment,” and added, “I will closely monitor the policy implementation to ensure that this ordinance serves as a ‘catalyst’ for real change in the medical field.”

Once this ordinance passes the plenary session and is officially implemented, it is expected that Incheon will accelerate specific budget allocations and project initiatives to support the local settlement of nursing personnel.