By Emma Ryan
A HEALTHCARE trade union representative has warned that Letterkenny University Hospital requires at least 67 additional nurses to operate at a “safe level”.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has told the Donegal News it has been confirmed to them that 67 nurses are required in the medical, surgical and emergency departments of the hospital.
A review of staffing is also being carried out in the pediatrics department amid concerns about staffing levels.
INMO Industrial Relations Officer for Letterkenny, Neal Donohoe said the union has major concerns surrounding the need for at least 67 nurses, with that number expected to be higher as other departments within the hospital are also short staffed.
“We have received confirmation that LUH needs 67 nurses in just three departments,” he said.
“In the context of safety, we need to recruit more staff to fill these vacancies immediately.
“These 67 nurses does not include other areas of the hospital which will also require staff.
“There is a base line for what is considered so staffing levels must be adhered to.”
There are concerns that these vacancies could lead to “unsafe patient care”.
Mr Donohoe added that if these vacancies were filled, patient care would improve massively.
“This level of staffing is unsafe for both the staff and patients,” he said.
“There are concerns that it could lead to comprised care and poor outcomes for patients but also stress and burn-out among nurses.
“There needs to be legislation in place to protect the levels of staffing and to ensure a safe environment for patients and staff,” said Mr Donohoe.
Recruitment and retention of nurses remain an issue at LUH and Mr Donohoe fears this will worsen during the winter.
“The hospital relies heavily on overseas nurses but I have been talking to some who were expecting to come here and have better working conditions.
“This is not the case and a lot of them are already considering leaving.
“Most of them do not want to leave the area but yet, the working conditions leave them with little choice.
“It is also difficult to retain local nurses here as they want to move away to better conditions,” said Mr Donohoe.
Saolta has been contacted for a comment but had not responded at the time of going to print.
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