Drogheda nurses' protest reflects healthcare crisis, says Gerry Adams

SINN FÉIN TDs Gerry Adams and Imelda Munster – along with council colleagues Joanna Byrne and Kenneth Flood – joined the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation protest at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda on Monday.

On the picket line, Gerry Adams said:

“Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital faces a series of crises in health provision, including unacceptable trolley waits and a severe staff shortage throughout the hospital.

“This is impacting on patient care and results in high levels of stress for staff members.

“I am also very concerned at the possibility of industrial action at Our Lady of Lourdes and I urge the hospital management to take whatever steps are necessary to address the genuine concerns of the staff.

“Today's protest is further evidence of the chaos within our health service and the failure of the last Government to provide the necessary resources and funding.”

The INMO said that its members are “gravely concerned” at staffing shortages throughout the hospital where there are 103 vacant posts.

“The INMO recognises that management are now attempting to recruit into the vacant posts but, in the interim, all beds remain open despite the fact that there are insufficient staff on duty to provide safe and appropriate care.”

The INMO noted that one ward, for example, should have 37 nurses on the roster but is currently operating with only 20 (53%).

“The current shortages are negatively impacting upon patient care and there is a clear requirement for management to curtail bed capacity pending the recruitment of additional nurses.”

INMO Industrial Relations Officer Tony Fitzpatrick said:

“Our members are taking this action in the interests of protecting the patients in their care.

“It is foolhardy in the extreme for management to allow this situation to continue and it is now necessary to curtail services pending the recruitment of additional nurses. All research indicates that the quality of patient care is directly related to the number of registered nurses on duty. If this number is diminished then patients suffer.

“We commend our members on taking this stand to protect patients.”

◼︎ The INMO has also served notice of industrial action in the form of a work to rule to commence on Thursday 19 May but further meetings were planned with management on Monday afternoon.