The first inter-agency working group initiated on 28 April  the development of a specialised training programme for mental health nurses in Romania. This idea to introduce mental health nurse specialization is a follow up to the initial discussions and seminars held with the active engagement of  the Romanian authorities and the Council of Europe consultants.

The Romanian authorities’ strong interest and commitment to introduce a mental health nursing is driven by the urgent need to address the issue of personnel shortages. The planned development is expected to significantly enhance the quality of mental health care in closed establishments and not only.

The development process will be guided by Council of Europe consultants, working closely with an inter-agency working group composed of representatives of the line stakeholders from the line agencies, universities and professional associations in the mental health field. It is expected to develop the training programme by the end of the year.

The initiative is supported and the meeting is organised within the framework of the project Further strengthening the provision of health care and mental health in prisons and other closed institutions in Romania (phase 2) financed by the Human Rights Trust Fund of the Council of Europe.