"Irish Hospitals Aren't Good For Your Health" - INMO

The INMO is calling for the implementation of Sláintecare.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is calling for the immediate implementation of Sláintecare in its original form, saying Irish hospitals aren't good for your health.

It's among a number of healthcare unions that addressed the Oireachtas health committee today to highlight that already this year, over 21 thousand patients have been left on trolleys.

It said Irish hospitals are 'inhumane environments' to provide care.

It also told the Committee that 7,600 assaults on hospital staff were reported last year - half of which were on nurses.

At the meeting the INMO called on the Oireachtas to ensure:

• All nurse staffing must be underpinned by The Framework policy for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix. The Framework must be funded, underpinned by legislation, and expanded across the health service
• That bed occupancy is reduced to 85% as per the Capacity Report
• That the Government commits to the multiannual funding of Sláintecare
• That there is zero tolerance for overcrowding in our hospitals
• That statutory agencies carry out their roles and make recommendations to the Minister for Health when compelled to by those on the frontline
• Strengthen health and safety legislation to protect nurses and midwives

Naas resident, INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha commented:“As of March 8^th, 21.535 patients have been on trolleys so far this year, a sharp increase of over 170% compared to 2021.

“Our nurses and midwives are under severe pressure; they are dealing with huge numbers of COVID and non-COVID patients presenting at emergency departments coupled with inadequate staffing levels.

“We are swiftly moving back to the bad old days of consistently seeing high numbers of patients on beds, yet we have come so used to these figures that hearing stories of patients waiting on trolleys for over 54 hours.

“We know that if a patient is on a trolley for more than five hours it can have a significant knock-on impact on their health and indeed their mortality," she insisted.

"State agencies such as the Department of Health, HIQA and the HSE need to step up to their responsibilities they have here and take decisive action.

"It is extremely disappointing that the HSE has not prioritised convening the Emergency Department Taskforce despite numerous requests.

“Staff and patients deserve better than the persistent and chronic overcrowding we are seeing in Irish hospitals on a daily basis. Government must take note of the voices from the frontline.

"They are sounding the alarm, and are pointing to clinical risk, omissions of care, inhumane environments for care provision, long uncomfortable waiting time to be seen and then a longer time to be admitted.

“Service plans that promise 6 hour wait times are unacceptable. We need a government led and overseen implementation of the agreed reform plan.

"If the Government doesn't intend to fully fund and implement the reforms, then our members will take action,” she added.