Mayo hospital staff shortages leads to surgery being cancelled

MAYO TD Dara Calleary has stated the HSE and Saolta Hospital group need to undertake an urgent recruitment drive to boost staff numbers at Mayo University Hospital (MUH).

It has been confirmed that all elective surgery at the centre has been cancelled for four weeks as a result of staff shortages.

Deputy Calleary commented: “The fact that the hospital has been forced to cancel elective surgeries for at least a month outlines the seriousness of the staff shortages across a number of departments. 

“As a result of the failure of the HSE and the Saolta Hospital group to replace theatre nurses who have left in recent months, patients are now being impacted.

“The cancellation of a planned surgery caused major upheaval for patients – many of whom would have to make arrangements to take time off work or have organised transport.â€