The HSE has lifted its recruitment restrictions on nurses and midwives as hospitals respond to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has confirmed that the embargo has been lifted as and from today.

INMO General-Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said the organisation has been calling for the restrictions to be lifted ever since they were introduced.

“In the context of the current crisis, we have again emphasised to the health service that they need to lift all barriers [to recruitment],” she said.

“Because we need everyone that can be at work, to be at work.

“This morning, they have confirmed in writing to us that all barriers are now removed to ensure recruitment of nurses and midwives.”

She said the INMO is calling for all hospital staff to be provided with the recommended Personal Protection Equipment for treating the virus.

She said hospitals must also follow specific guidelines, issued by the WHO, on rest breaks for nurses that are caring for people with acute respiratory illnesses

“That requires additional staff,” she said. “So that is the focus right now.”

“We are monitoring this situation on a daily basis.

“We are in contact with the HSE on a continuous basis and we will ensure that priority is given to the health, safety and welfare of those who are caring for these sick people – because we can’t stop the COVID-19 virus without protecting our health workforce.”

The Government put the recruitment controls in place in May 2018 – warning that they would remain until the health service could prove that it was living within its budget.

It said they would remain until hospital groups could show that they were delivering balanced financial plans.