Dangerous Mayo hospital working conditions reiterated by INMO
by Jordan Higgins
A representative of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has reiterated concerns about dangerous conditions for staff and patients at Mayo University Hospital.
INMO released a statement last August expressing concern at unsafe staff-to-patient ratios, staffing levels, and overcrowding.
As Covid-19 cases are once again rising around the country – which will inevitably put increased strain on Irish hospitals and healthcare staff – Anne Burke, Industrial Relations Officer for Western Regions at INMO, has noted a lack of change in response to the issues raised in the August statement.
“While there have been commitments to address issues, we are not seeing a huge change in the context of the biggest issues that our members raised – the staffing levels and the nurse-patient ratios. They have not improved,” Ms. Burke said.
Ms. Burke also noted worry among INMO members at the level of acute respiratory illness and paediatric cases presenting to the hospital.
The assisted ventilation machines being used to treat these cases require regular monitoring and observation – a change to the landscape of surgical and medical wards that brings with it the need for additional resources which are not present at Mayo University Hospital at present.
INMO members at Mayo University Hospital have also raised concerns around episodes of delayed care due to staffing concerns, specifically referencing the difficulties faced by nurses in the emergency department to treat patients in a timely manner with severely limited resources.
Adding to this, Ms. Burke highlighted the number of patients waiting for beds throughout the hospital.
On Thursday, October 21, INMO members counted 24 patients waiting for a bed at Mayo University Hospital, 34 patients were waiting for beds on the morning of October 20, and 26 patients were waiting on the morning of October 19.
Ms. Burke, on behalf of INMO, has called on the management of Mayo University Hospital to address staffing concerns and ensure all patients can receive timely care.
The Connaught Telegraph reached out to management at Mayo University Hospital for a statement but did not receive a response.