456 patients are in need of a bed in hospitals across Ireland, according to the latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives’ Organisation.
University Hospital Limerick is the most overcrowded with 66 people on trolleys or on wards awaiting admission to a bed.
43 people are waiting on a trolley and in overflow areas of wards in University Hospital Galway with 36 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) held a press conference following a meeting of its Executive Council and have decided to ballot their members for industrial action.
INMO Trolley/Ward Watch 08/11/16
456 Patients
347 on trolleys
109 on wards #trolleywatch https://t.co/NmpGN2LjpA pic.twitter.com/6lpiP1jhvj— INMO_IRL (@INMO_IRL) November 8, 2016
Speaking this afternoon INMO President Martina Harkin-Kelly said: “Our members have spoken and have clearly indicated they can no longer endure the working environment and will no longer accept having their professional judgement disrespected or ignored by management."
"Nursing and midwifery is in crisis and our health services are failing to meet the needs of patients. This action is absolutely necessary, and justified, in the interests of patients and our members. Accepted worldwide evidence demonstrates that patients are safest and mortality rates lower when there are sufficient nurses and midwives working in positive environments providing their care,” she added.
INMO General Secretary Liam Doran said: “The level of anger, within our membership, was palpable at the recent meetings. This action seeks to have government and management come forward with special initiatives that will attract and retain the required number of nurses and midwives to staff our service safely and expand it to meet ever increasing demand."
"In addition we will, in conjunction with our public service union colleagues, participate in early discussions, with government, which must deliver an acceleration in the restoration of pay and other conditions of employment which were cut in recent years," he added.
