Portlaoise nurses hold staffing levels protest
29/06/2006 - 14:37:25Nurses and midwives have mounted a protest outside the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise today over staffing levels in the maternity ward.
The protestors, who are members of the Irish Nurses Organisation, say there are not enough staff to provide adequate cover in the ward.
They say population increases in recent years have led to high patients numbers and recovery times for new mothers are being shortened as a result.
The INO says the situation is putting patient care at risk and is demanding that the Health Service Executive takes immediate action to address the concerns.
The HSE, however, has criticised the organisation's decision to mount today's protest, saying negotiations on the matter are already taking place.
