A NUMBER OF wards in Cork University Hospital have an “unsafe care environment” said the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).
The group said management at the hospital confirmed last week there are 78 vacant posts at the hospital, despite it operating at almost full capacity.
Speaking on the issue, INMO Industrial Relations Officer, Mary Rose Carroll said:
Our members have heightened their concerns and notified management of the daily challenge to provide safe and effective care as a result of inadequate staffing levels. This is unacceptable to the members we represent.
She said the issue was first raised with management back in June of this year, however, since then little or no progress has been made to improve staffing levels at the hospital.
No progress has been made to provide adequate support to nursing staff, she added.
The INMO is seeking that the hospital group prioritise staffing and formulate an immediate action plan to address the risk to patients.
In the interests of patient safety and to minimise risk, the INMO believes services should be curtailed and beds closed until adequate staff are available to provide safe effective care.
TheJournal.ie requested a comment from the HSE, however, none was received at the time of publication.
Originally published : 14.26
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