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The INMO met the HSE and Department of Health today in an effort to avert a strike by nurses and midwives over unsafe levels of staffing.<\/p>\nThe INMO met the HSE and Department of Health today in an effort to avert a strike by nurses and midwives over unsafe levels of staffing.<\/p>\n
A members\u2019 vote on strike action is set to begin in ten days.<\/p>\n
The INMO said they have left this two-week cooling off period to allow the employers to make realistic proposals to avert a dispute.<\/p>\n
The INMO expressed disappointment that no proposals were made at today\u2019s meeting, but reaffirmed that they are available to meet any day before balloting begins.<\/p>\n
The Department of Health and HSE today committed to further meetings.<\/p>\n
Nurses and midwives have expressed repeated concern that pay is too low to recruit and retain enough staff for safe care.<\/p>\n
Government proposals to resolve the issue were rejected as insufficient by 94% of INMO members in a vote last month.<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s public health service now has 2,600 fewer nurses and midwives than in 2007, while demands on the health service have increased significantly.<\/p>\n
At the meeting, the HSE and Department of Health confirmed that recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives remains a major difficulty.<\/p>\n
“Nurses and midwives are immensely dedicated professionals and our concerns deserve to be taken seriously,” said INMO General Secretary Phil N\u00ed Sheaghdha.<\/p>\n
“We will not stand by while patient care is compromised due to understaffing. The HSE simply cannot hire enough nurses and midwives on these wages.<\/p>\n
In ten days\u2019 time, our members will vote on whether to go on strike. This is not a decision that any nurse or midwife will take lightly.<\/p>\n
“We have been clear with the HSE and Department of Health today, setting out the areas where they should focus in order to avert this dispute.<\/p>\n
“We remain available for discussions each and every day until balloting begins.”<\/p>\n