The theme of safe care is set to dominate the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation's annual conference.
More than 350 nurses and midwives are gathering in Kilkenny for the three day event and delegates want to get the message across that more nurses equals safe patients.
The INMO says the Government's recruitment embargo has seen the loss of a further 850 nursing and midwifery posts in 2013.
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The ratio currently stands at one midwife per fifty births, and the recommended standard internationally is one per 29.5.
The HSE says the hospital is managing activity levels within this year's resources.
Liam Doran is General Secretary of the INMO:
