Irish health service 'hanging by a thread', according to INMO president

An INMO poll revealed that 63 per cent of nurses and midwives admitted to considering quitting in the past month

By: irishmirror.ie

May 09 2024
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Irish health service 'hanging

Ireland’s health service is "hanging by a thread" as 92% of nurses and midwives believe patient safety is at risk, a new study has revealed.

A poll by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation found significant concern among healthcare workers for their own well-being and patient safety.

More than half (63%) of respondents said they have considered quitting in the past month, with 44.5% saying this was due to stress.

And 76% of those surveyed said staffing levels and skill mix did not meet the required clinical and patient demands. INMO president Karen McGowan said this survey clearly shows her members are struggling and if another crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic happened, they would not cope.

She added: "These services and the people working in them are hanging by a thread. It’s frightening to think what would happen if they had to withstand another serious shock."

The poll also revealed 69% of respondents said work is impacting their physical health, while 40% believe their work negatively impacts their mental health. Ms McGowan also accused the Government of failing to act on overcrowding.

INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said her members cannot increase bed capacity or staffing quotas – the Government must bring about these changes. If not, she said the health service will risk a collapse in staff who and "catastrophic patient outcomes as a result".

Ms Ni Sheaghdha added: "Every year our members fulfil their duty to their patients and the services they provide, by raising the pressing issues that need to be addressed and demonstrating the impact of inaction on their services and patients. Year after year, they find that they are not being met halfway.

"We have clear data on the impact of unsafe staffing on outcomes. We have data on the relationship between overcrowding and whether or not patients will survive; and here we have clear figures saying nurses and midwives are extremely stressed, working unpaid hours, and leaving their jobs. The failure to act on data is simply irresponsible."

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