WITH more than 100 patients without beds in University Hospital Limerick for the second time in two months, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called for direct ministerial intervention to tackle the overcrowding crisis.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that with nearly 1,400 Covid cases in hospitals as well as the huge levels of overcrowding, it is not acceptable that there has not been direct intervention from government to alleviate the problem.
“The situation in University Hospital Limerick is of particular concern to the INMO, as the number of patients without beds in the hospital has gone above 100 for the second time in two months,” she added.
“Overcrowding adds stress for staff and worsens patient care. It is high-risk in normal times, but even more so during a pandemic. The INMO is once again calling on the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to urgently investigate the overcrowding issue in the hospital and make recommendations.
“Our members have been sounding the alarm to Government every day about the chronic overcrowding. The situation we now find ourselves in deserves immediate political intervention.
“It is not good enough for members of Government to comment on the situation our members find themselves in. We need to see direct action that will ease the pressure starting with the curtailing of non-emergency elective activity.
“INMO members from emergency departments across the country met Health Minister Stephen Donnelly two weeks ago to outline what steps need to be taken to alleviate the enormous pressure they are under. The Minister must take action today,” Ms Ní Sheaghdha declared.
