Over fifty nursing and midwifery posts are being left unfilled in Tipperary University Hospital, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
Speaking ahead of a cross-trade union protest at Tipperary University Hospital today, INMO Industrial Relations Officer Liam Conway, describes the situation as unacceptable. Mr Conway says the HSE cap on recruitment is causing huge problems and claims that staffing is unsafe in the Emergency Department and at ward level.
The increasing demand for services means that significant investment in staffing and bed capacity is required according to the Union representative.
“Nursing posts in stroke care, COPD, neurology and colorectal specialisms are being left vacant, which is doing a disservice to the people of Tipperary” according to the INMO who today staged a joint lunchtime protest at TUH in Clonmel with FORSA over HSE plans to suppress posts not filled due to the recruitment freeze.
Both unions are currently balloting their members for industrial action and are again calling on the Government and the HSE to urgently reverse their current pay and staffing policies to ensure safe and effective healthcare for both patients and staff.
