Long-serving consultant comes out in support of Mayo nurses' strike action
A LONG-serving consultant at Mayo University Hospital has come out in support of the action taken today by members of the INMO.
Dr. Mohammed, consultant obstetrician, said he has worked with midwifery and nursing staff at the Castlebar hospital for the past 24 years and they needed to be supported in their demands.
“I call on our government to examine their concerns very closely,” he added.
Councillor Blackie Gavin, cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, has displayed solidarity with the nurses by turning up on the picket line to wish them well in their efforts.
The Mayo representative on the INMO executive committee, Donna Hyland, has thanked her colleagues and the public for their support of today's strike action at Mayo University Hospital.
Ms. Hyland said the current staff retention and recruitment issues within the system is continuing to manifest itself in overcrowding, high numbers of patients on trolleys and increased waiting times for appointments.
They were also placing undue pressures on nursing and midwifery staff members who were becoming increasingly at risk of suffering burnout.
“There are 1,750 fewer nurses in the system that there were in 2008. If the HSE is prepared to meet our demands, it will have a positive impact into the future on our health service.
“Not only will it reduce the ratio of patients per nurses, but it will cut the numbers of patients on trolleys because we will be in a better position to open up more beds.
“As it stands, we can no longer tolerate the existing conditions that place the safety of patients at risk as well as the welfare of nursing staff.
“Our members did not want to take this action to achieve our objectives but we were left with no choice.”
An unnamed nurse who worked in Australia and England told MidWest Radio that the ratio of patients per nurse in Castlebar is as high as between 8-12 per one compared to four to one in the hospitals in the other countries where she was employed.
“It's simply not sustainable,” she added.
The strike action continues until 4 p.m. and wil be escalated next month unles a resolution is found.
The HSE is asking people whose appointments have been cancelled not to contact their hospital. They will receive rearranged appointments in due course.
Health Minister Simon Harris remains adamant that the claim by nurses and midwives is unaffordable and would undermine the public finances amid economic risks from Brexit.