INMO calls on HSE to take extra measures to protect nurses
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called on the HSE to take extra measures to protect the nursing and midwifery workforce.
INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, said that it is a very different January in the health service this year, as there are huge increases in the number of patients on trolleys and a high number of nurses and midwives on COVID-related leave.
Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that yesterday, over 353 patients were on trolleys – a 100% increase on the number of patients on trolleys compared to this day last year.
“Our nursing and midwifery rosters are depleted,” he said, which is causing difficulties in filling rosters.
“According to our own calculations based on figures provided by the HSE, 7.29% of nurses are on COVID-related leave at present.
“We know that COVID outbreaks are higher in healthcare settings compared to any other setting.
