Support urged for nurses postcard campaign

Sinn Féin has urged public support for a postcard by the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) highlighting the worsening situation in hospital Accident and Emergency units.

Caoimhghín O Caoláin TD urged people to take INO postcards at hospitals and to post them on. "It is a scandal that despite Minister Harney's much-trumpeted ten-point plan and the Health Service Executive's announcement last week of measures supposed to address the A&E crisis, we have more people on trolleys this winter than last.

"I am especially concerned that A&E overcrowding continues in light of the high incidence of MRSA in Irish hospitals. Last year the Health and Safety Authority highlighted the dangers of overcrowding, including increased risk to patients and staff from infection and injury. Yet the situation has got worse."