LAST UPDATE | 14 Oct

NURSES AND MIDWIVES will today cast ballots on industrial action as their union says “large gaps” in the workforce are impacting the safety of the job.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has said its members have shared examples where short staffing has resulted in “very high-risk situations” for its members while they are at work.

The union claims positions in cancer, palliative, paediatric, and rehab care are being left vacant, and that this is ramping up pressure on staff to work on days off and stay on for unpaid periods after their shift. 

“The HSE have designed a laborious, time-wasting process of application for safety-critical posts under the Pay and Numbers Strategy, which is designed to prolong the recruitment process.

“We are now seeing instances where it is taking up to twelve months to recruit much-needed nurses and midwives into vacant posts. 

“This has had a hugely negative impact on nursing and midwifery,” INMO President Caroline Gourley said.

Other unions have also previously voiced opposition to the scheme. The Journal previously reported on roles disappearing or panels being bypassed.

The HSE, in a statement to The Journal, defended its staffing record and claimed it has increased the number of people who work within the service by 23% since 2020. 

A spokeswoman detailed that nearly 9,400 additional nurses and midwives, over 4,000 health and social care professionals, almost 6,200 managers and admin staff and 3,330 doctors and dentists have been recruited in that time.

“The HSE respects the right of all unions and professional groups to advocate, however is important that the unions involved in protests and public commentary recognise the enormous growth and pace of change in recent years,” she said.

The spokeswoman added that the HSE found it “concerning” that unions were willing to put forward “inaccurate” information and claim that the health service was more interested in financial incentives than the care of its patients.

“That is simply not the case. We are very happy to have continuous engagements on safety and other aspects of workforce management,” she said.

The ballot will continue for INMO members throughout the day today.