Nurses at Cavan hospital to launch lunchtime protest tomorrow
Members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) in Cavan General Hospital will stage a lunchtime protest tomorrow.
The INMO said that "inadequate staffing levels, pervasive throughout the hospital, are negatively impacting upon patient care and are affecting the health, safety and well-being of nursing/midwifery staff".
"The INMO has had several engagements with management in an attempt to address the staffing deficits in the hospital," a statement from the union read.
"They met management at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) last Thursday, December 8 and, despite management being well aware of the difficulties, they made no cogent proposals to address the issues and, instead, sought more time to consider their response.
"The INMO cannot allow a situation to continue where patient safety and staff well-being are put at risk."
Speaking this evening, INMO industrial relations officer, Tony Fitzpatrick said: "Our members are extremely concerned about patient safety and are frustrated and disappointed at management’s inadequate response to the issue.
"INMO members wish to highlight their concerns in relation to maintaining their professional registration and believe that working in this difficult environment is having a detrimental effect on their health and well-being.
"They have been left with no other option but to take this course of action."
A further meeting is scheduled with the WRC on December 20, 2016.
