Political move afoot to address unsafe staff levels at Mayo hospital

"Appallingly, the government is actively standing in the way of solutions"

A Mayo TD has said that urgent action is needed in Mayo to resolve dangerous overcrowding, unsafe staffing levels and serious gaps in ambulance cover ahead of Sinn Féin’s Dáil motion this week to address recruitment, overcrowding and winter preparedness nationally.

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh said: “The dedicated staff at Mayo University Hospital are working under relentless pressure contending with serious overcrowding issues, unsafe staffing levels and unacceptable patient delays in the emergency department.

"This dire and unsustainable situation will only deteriorate as winter progresses, unless urgent action is taken now.

“Sadly, this is not just a problem at MUH, it is replicated in hospitals up and down the country.

“Sinn Féin’s motion will demand action on safe staffing, recruitment restrictions, hospital capacity, ambulance services and properly funded winter plans.

"I will be calling on the government to immediately approve outstanding nursing appointments, fill all essential vacancies at MUH, implement safe staffing levels and ensure the National Ambulance Service has the resources and personnel needed to serve Co. Mayo.

“How can any hospital operate effectively when there are 85 vacancies, including 50 nursing posts? That is what MUH is facing.

"Recruitment freezes must be ended and the Safe Staffing Framework must be fully implemented and properly funded.

“Appallingly, the government is actively standing in the way of solutions. Graduate nurses who have accepted jobs are being left in limbo while their positions are awaiting national approval.

"Some are left with no option but to sign on for social welfare. This is an extraordinary situation when our hospitals are crying out for nurses.

“This crisis extends beyond the hospital doors and also impacts ambulance cover across county Mayo. I have been contacted by elderly people who have waited more than six hours for an ambulance to arrive.

"That is wholly unacceptable, but it is not the fault of existing crews, who are stretched to breaking point and desperately need additional resources.

“I am awaiting a confirmation from the Minister for Health that the additional paramedic posts, the two new hospital ambulance liaison supervisors and the new air ambulance for the West and North West – which were all promised earlier this year – are now operational in Mayo.

“Patients and staff can no longer wait for this government to do nothing.”