Podcasts about irish nurses

The Health Minister has already been called upon to outline the winter plan for University Hospital Limerick, given concerns with ongoing overcrowding. UHL remains the busiest facility in the country today, with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation recording 81 patients on trolleys this morning, representing more than one-fifth of all patients without a bed nationwide. According to the HSE's own workforce report, the MidWest also has the lowest number of consultants per population in the country. Speaking in the Seanad Fianna Fáil Senator Dee Ryan says measures must be put in place to ensure there isn't a further exodus of staff to the new Bon Secour's Private Hospital due to open in September.

Today marks the beginning of the Irish Nurses and Midwives' Organisation Conference, where nurses are expected to call for extreme weather compensation. Shane spoke to Edward Matthews, Deputy General Secretary of the INMO.

Today marks the beginning of the Irish Nurses and Midwives' Organisation Conference, where nurses are expected to call for extreme weather compensation. Shane spoke to Edward Matthews, Deputy General Secretary of the INMO.

In just over two months' time, the new National Children's Hospital is due to be completed and handed over to the State. But there are growing concerns about staffing levels at the hospital. Phil Ní Sheadghadha is the General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

Oliver was joined by former nurses Gráinne McPolin and Bernie Naughton and by sociology professor Louise Ryan to hear the story of the many Irish nurses who went over to work in Britain's National Health Service.

Why can't we offer MRIs and ultrasounds in hospital 24/7? Why is it still an accepted norm to wait hours in A&E? Why do issues with staffing, such as spending unnecessary amounts on agency nurses, persist? All to discuss with Dr Chris Luke, Former A&E Consultant and Phil Ní Sheaghdha from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

84% of nurses have cared for patients in inappropriate settings, according to a new survey by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. Shane discussed these survey findings with Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General Secretary of the organisation.

84% of nurses have cared for patients in inappropriate settings, according to a new survey by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. Shane discussed these survey findings with Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General Secretary of the organisation.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation discusses the concerns that are being raised after it emerged that important developmental checks are not being carried out on newborns in certain parts of Dublin, due to a lack of public health nurses.

A new Clare TD has used her maiden speech in Dáil Éireann to ask what steps will be taken to fix the overcrowding crisis at University Hospital Limerick. Shannon-based Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan has told Tánaiste Simon Harris that 2,234 patients were left waiting on trolleys at the facility last month which was up 131 from the same month last year. Today, 99 people were without a bed at UHL during morning rounds according to Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation figures. Addressing the Tánaiste, Deputy McGettigan says people are afraid of going to the Dooradoyle facility because of the stories they've heard.

Tony Fitzpatrick, Director with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, on the large number of patients on trolleys in UHL and UHG.

An interim report on HIQA's review examining the case for a second emergency department in the Midwest is expected within the next three to four weeks. Public consultation opened last month on the independent statutory review for which the ultimate findings are due this summer. It comes as overcrowding has spiralled once again at University Hospital Limerick with 138 waiting for a bed at the facility this morning according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. Lahinch-based Patient Advocate on HSE Midwest's Programme Improvement Board John Wall has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons he believes when it comes to the prospect of a second ED in this region, it's a question of when, not if.

Clare people are being urged to make their opinions known on the future of emergency care in the MidWest before the deadline expires next week. As part of HIQA's review to determine if a second emergency department is needed in the region, it's accepting public submissions online and by post until next Thursday, January 15th. University Hospital Limerick remains by far the most overcrowded hospital in the country , with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation recording 329 patients on trolleys there so far this week. Ennistymon based MidWest Hospital Campaign Spokesperson Marie McMahon says every voice is crucial.

Clare people are being urged to make their opinions known on the future of emergency care in the MidWest before the deadline expires next week. As part of HIQA's review to determine if a second emergency department is needed in the region, it's accepting public submissions online and by post until next Thursday, January 15th. University Hospital Limerick remains by far the most overcrowded hospital in the country , with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation recording 329 patients on trolleys there so far this week. Ennistymon based MidWest Hospital Campaign Spokesperson Marie McMahon says every voice is crucial.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation

A recent social media post by the Mid-West Hospital Campaign group stated that they were contacted by people expressing major concerns at the current state of the Emergency Department in UHL, with plenty of online commentary about current overcrowding conditions there. According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation's Trolleywatch figures, yesterday the daily record for presentations at University Hospital Limerick was broken, while 118 patients were waiting for a bed at UHL on Tuesday morning. In early February last, one hundred and fifty patients were left waiting for beds at UHL - the worst day in history for hospital overcrowding at any facility in the country. To talk more about this, Alan Morrisey was joined by Clare Social Democrats election candidate, Hillary Tonge and Mid-West Hospital Campaign Limerick General Election candidate, whose daughter Eve passed away due a blood clot that went undiagnosed after spending 17 hours on a trolley in 2019, Melanie Cleary. Photo (c) Alan Place

There are record levels of patients waiting on trolleys in Cork University Hospital the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation have said, with 98 patients waiting for admission to a bed.Overall in Ireland there are 641 patients on trolleys, with 444 of those in emergency departments.How can we tackle this and stop it from escalating?Kieran is joined by Anthony Staines, Professor of Health Systems at the School of Nursing in DCU to discuss.Image: MWP

With Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General Secretary with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation

Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae has received figures from the Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation which reveal the extent of understaffing in Kerry health facilities. According to the INMO, in University Hospital Kerry alone, there are 50 vacant posts.

The Health Minister has defended his Department's response to enhancing capacity, staffing and resources across the UL Hospitals Group in the face of consistent and worsening overcrowding this year. It follows a fiery debate held in the Dáil on the matter in light of the harrowing findings of former Chief Justice Frank Clarke's Report into the Death of Shannon Teenager Aoife Johnston at University Hospital Limerick. The overcrowding crisis at UHL has once again dominated headlines this week, following the publication of the Clarke Report, which determined the circumstances surrounding Aoife Johnston's death "were almost certainly avoidable". 2024 remains on course to be the worst year on record for trolley numbers at Dooradoyle with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation documenting 2,225 admitted patients without beds up to July . Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan whose party called for last night's debate insists too many families have unnecessarily lost loved ones at UHL in recent times due to the conditions. The Health Minister has defended the response made by his Department in light of recent events though. Stephen Donnelly claims the bed capacity planned for UHL alone will be the equivalent of bringing a new model 4 and model 3 hospital to the MidWest. He confirmed in the Dáil that the first of two 96 bed blocks due to come on stream at Dooradoyle will be operational by the first quarter of next year, with the second to be built by 2028. Additionally, a site for a dedicated surgical hub has been established at Scoil Carmel in Limerick, which its claimed will cater for 4,000 extra day case surgeries, 6,000 minor operations and 18,000 outpatient consultations annually. Minister Donnelly believes that a failure to reform workplace practices have been to blame for the worsening situation at UHL this year. The Department of Health has also confirmed a committee will be established to implement the recommendations of the Clarke Report. But the Minister is facing criticism from a coalition colleague for a failure to address Oireachtas members and Clare County Council on UHL's Winter plan ahead of the expected seasonal surge. Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator and Oireachtas Health Committee member Martin Conway says the delay is inexcusable.

The overcrowding crisis at UHL has once again dominated headlines this week, following the publication of the Clarke Report, which determined the circumstances surrounding Aoife Johnston's death "were almost certainly avoidable". 2024 remains on course to be the worst year on record for trolley numbers at Dooradoyle with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation documenting 2,225 admitted patients without beds up to July . Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan whose party called for last night's debate insists too many families have unnecessarily lost loved ones at UHL in recent times due to the conditions.

A Clare government Senator has accused the Health Minister of using delay tactics to postpone HIQA's review to determine the need for a second emergency department in the region. It's after the MidWest Hospital Campaign's request to reopen A&Es at Ennis, Nenagh and St.John's were heard at the Oireachtas Petitions Committee. 113 admitted patients were left waiting for beds at University Hospital Limerick this morning, according to the latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. This means the Dooradoyle facility is more overcrowded than the next six busiest hospitals in the country combined today. The Oireachtas Petitions Committee has this week heard the case put forward by the MidWest Hospital Campaign for the A&Es at Ennis, Nenagh and St.Johns to be re-opened. Appearing before the committee, the Health Minister has said though, that nursing staff at Ennis General are not in favour of opening the Local Injury Unit on a 24/7 basis. HSE figures have revealed that 239 patients died in the Emergency Department at UHL since 2019 and Minister Stephen Donnelly says every one of those should have been at home or in palliative care for their final hours. Responding to a question from Kilrush Independent Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne, the Minister says, however, that expanding the LIU in Ennis would be an inefficient drain on emergency care resources. A Clare Oireachtas Health Committee member, meanwhile, has accused the Minister of using "delay tactics" by not yet publishing the terms of reference for HIQA's pending review into the need for a second ED in the MidWest. Minister Donnelly reaffirmed that the terms would not be published until Former Chief Justice Frank Clarke's Independent investigation into the death of Aoife Johnston is completed in the coming weeks. Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway says HIQA's review of emergency capacity needs to get underway now, and that this government must make the decision on a new ED for the region.

There are 70 patients on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick today according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. Although this is a 25% reduction on the number of people without a bed there yesterday, the level of overcrowding at UHL today is still above that of the next two busiest facilities combined. A Clare Oireachtas Health Committee Member believes the staff on the frontlines experiencing this situation on a near daily basis are best placed to advise on additional capacity in the region and must be consulted in the review. Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe insists though that regardless of who's leading Leinster House next year, HIQA's recommendation must be included in the new programme for government. The Friends of Ennis Hospital is remaining firm in its view that any new emergency department must be located in this county Kilrush based Spokesperson Deirdre Culligan insists that even if it means constructing a brand-new facility, providing another ED in Tipperary or Limerick would offer no relief to patients in rural Clare. The MidWest Hospital Campaign has also been fighting for the reopening of Accident and Emergency Departments at Ennis, Nenagh and St.John's since their respective closures in 2009. Yesterday the group met with HSE MidWest Regional Executive Officer Sandra Broderick who is also conducting a review of emergency capacity here under the instruction of Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. Ballyvaughan based MidWest Hospital Campaign member Noeleen Moran says both reviews must be completed in a timely manner and take factors such as population age profile into account in order to be effective and ensure the construction of any new ED can happen quickly.

The Health Minister is to initiate a review to determine if a second Emergency Department is needed in the MidWest. HIQA has been asked to lead the review which will commence after the independent investigation by former Chief Justice Frank Clarke into the death of Shannon Teenager Aoife Johnston at UHL in December of 2022 has been published. Accident and Emergency Departments at Ennis, Nenagh and St.Johns were closed as part of a reconfiguration in 2009 which favoured a centre of excellence at University Hospital Limerick. UHL has consistently been by far the most overcrowded facility in the country since then and remains the only model four hospital in the country without a supporting model three hospital in the same community healthcare organisation area. The announcement has received a broad welcome including from the Friends of Ennis Hospital, Clare members of the Oireachtas Health Committee; Meelick TD Cathal Crowe and Ennistymon Senator Martin Conway and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. Clare Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that while he's hopeful of a positive outcome, the review must not become a distraction to providing urgent additional bed capacity across the MidWest.

Nurses and midwives are concerned patient safety is being negatively impacted by staffing shortfalls, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation's Work and Wellbeing Survey. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Tony Fitzpatrick, Director of Professional Services with the INMO.

“The HSE is on its knees; reopen our three A&Es” is the call echoing around University Hospital Limerick this afternoon. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is visiting the region's main hospital today and protestors from across the Midwest have turned up the make their voices heard. Although he made an unannounced visit to the Midwest facility last night, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is at University Hospital Limerick once again today. It comes on a day when 101 admitted patients were left waiting on trolleys during morning rounds, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. While Minister Donnelly has been inspecting the facility, protestors from the likes of the Midwest Hospital Campaign Group have been reiterating calls for change. Ennistymon native and group member Marie McMahon, whose husband passed away on a trolley at UHL in 2018 believes the visit is nothing more than a public relations exercise. The Minister has previously stated his opposition to reopening the A&Es at Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's. Limerick Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan however believes if it will solve the crisis, reopening the facilities is what should be done. Today's events come just days before the visit of the Oireachtas Health Committee to the Dooradoyle Facliliy. Tanya McMahon of the Nenagh Needs Its A&E group hopes it becomes clear than the facility isn't safe for staff or patients. 21-year-old Eve Cleary died in 2019 after being discharged from UHL. Her mother, Melanie Sheehan-Cleary, hopes change is coming so no family has to go through what she and hers have had to endure.

It's claimed Sinn Féin's alternative health services plan is key to solving legacy overcrowding problems in the MidWest. University Hospital Limerick remains by far the busiest facility in the country, with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation recording over 1,960 patients there in March, outside of weekends and bank holidays. The 'Caring for Communities' plan put forward by Sinn Féin tables 30 proposals including directly employing GPs in rural areas and doubling frontline staff recruitment targets. Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District, Sinn Féin Councillor Donna McGettigan insists her party can solve the GP shortage and relieve pressure on the acute hospital system.

It's claimed the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of a Shannon man at University Hospital Limerick must now be the catalyst for change in Midwest Healthcare. 65 Year-Old Martin Abbott passed away in an overcrowded emergency department in Dooradoyle in 2019 and an inquest into his death last week returned a verdict of medical misadventure. Mr. Abbott presented to University Hospital Limerick on the 14th of December 2019 with symptoms of fever, coughing and diarrhoea. He was then diagnosed with Legionnaire's disease; a serious form of pneumonia, and would spend the next three days on a trolley in an isolation cubicle. On his third night in hospital, Martin was found lying on the floor of his cubicle, after falling from his trolley and last week, an inquest into his death heard he may have been dead for over an hour before being discovered by staff. The UL Hospitals Group would later acknowledge deficits in the care provided to Martin Abbott and offer apologies to the Abbott family. A Sinn Féin Senator insists that the shocking revelations that came to light in the inquest must now trigger the catalyst for change in MidWest Healthcare. Ireland South Candidate in the European elections Paul Gavan believes the Government's failure to deliver Primary Care facilities and invest in increased bed capacity in UHL has seriously failed the patients of the region and must be expedited. But the Limerick native says politicians shouldn't be making these decisions and that an independent clinical review is urgently needed to overcome local service deficits. A Clare Doctor meanwhile is questioning the usefulness of a new primary care pathway that's being rolled out at University Hospital Limerick. GP's are now screening non-referral patients at the door of the Emergency Department in an effort to reduce overcrowding. The Dooradoyle facility remains by far the busiest in the country today, with 105 patients on trolleys this morning, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. Lahinch GP and Clare Member of the IMO's GP Committee Dr Michael Kelleher believes the pathway is simply a stop-gap solution and won't effect long term change.

Siobhan, long covid sufferer; Albert Murphy, Director of Industrial Relations for the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation; Jack Chambers, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of Environment, Climate & Communications; Mairéad Farrell, Sinn Féin TD for Galway West; Peadar Tóibín, Aontú leader and TD for Meath West

The Sinn Féin leader has stopped short of committing to the re-opening of A&E's in Ennis, Nenagh and St John's, as part of efforts to resolve the overcrowding crisis at the region's main hospital. It comes as elective surgeries have resumed at UL Hospital Groups facilities today, following two days of cancellations. Mary Lou Mc Donald has been critical of the Government response to the ongoing overcrowding crisis at UHL, as Clare FM's Sean Lyons reports: Medical staff within the UL Hospitals Group are beginning to clear a backlog of planned surgeries today, after elective procedures were cancelled for the last two days. It was in response to an extremely high number of patients attending the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick earlier in the week, with trolley numbers at the Dooradoyle facility peaking at 143 on Monday. Today, an analysis from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation shows there were 100 admitted patients waiting for beds at the Dooradoyle facility during morning rounds. The Government has this week defended it's response to overcrowding at UHL, highlighting that since 2020, 150 extra beds have been provided there, with a 96-bed clock due to open by spring next year and another 96-bed block to follow in 2027. Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Minister Simon Coveney outlined that over a 4-year period, the hospital budget has increased by 45% to 383 million euro and committed to adding more beds and staff in the future, as well as improving management of the facility. His party colleague, Clare Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway, who is also a member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, says the only solution to the crisis is increasing capacity. The Sinn Féin leader says her party's first focus is to deliver an additional 230 beds, cited as needed in the hospital group's own capacity review. Speaking on Clare FM's Morning Focus, Mary Lou McDonald criticised the Government for failing to deliver the much needed capacity and for underfunding health in the last budget and said the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Health Minister must lead from the from the front. Asked if she'd re-open the three A&E's in Ennis, Nenagh and St John's, as called for by a number of campaign groups in the region, Mary Lou McDonald said that decision would have be made based on a clinical review. The first focus, she said, is delivering capacity.

The Government and the opposition have clashed in the Dail over University Hospital Limerick. It comes as scheduled surgeries at five hospitals run by the UL Hospitals Group aren't going ahead once again today, as the Dooradoyle facility remains in its highest state of escalation. 99 people were waiting for a bed at University Hospital Limerick this morning, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, in a week in which numbers rose above 140. In the Dáil, Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald accused the Government of being delusional on its record when it comes to dealing with hospital overcrowding. Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney has rejected Sinn Fein criticism, however, in relation to hospital overcrowding at UHL. A Clare general practicioner, meanwhile, is dismissing suggestions that reopening Ennis's A&E is the answer to overcrowding at the facility. Lahinch GP, Dr Michael Kelleher has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons that although the emergency department at the region's main hospital is completely overburdened, having an accident and emergency unit in Ennis would be unsafe and difficult to staff.

A Clare Government TD insists pressure must be kept on the Health Minister to reopen the Ennis A&E. It comes amid fresh calls for the expanison of the Ennis facility this week, in light of extremely high ED attendances at University Hoapital Limerick and a repeated surge in the level of overcrowding there. Just under a month on from a record-breaking 150 patients recorded on trolleys at the region's main hospital, the number of people without a bed at the facility has risen above 140 once again this week. That number has dropped to 115 today, according to the latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, but the Dooradoyle facility remains by far the busiest in the country. Just two weeks ago, the HSE issued a letter outling its reasons against reopening the A&Es at Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's which were closed in 2008. Defending this position, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has doubled down on his view that having an A&E in Clare's county town would be "unsafe", but he's pledged to continue providing funding to support the facility going forward. Party colleague of the Minister, and Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe, says although he believes certain strides have been made in terms of easing the overcrowding issue at UHL in recent years, the Government must do more to support the phased reopening of Ennis's A&E. 115 people were languishing on trolleys at the Dooradoyle facility this morning and although the ED was equipped in 2017 to cope with 190 presentations daily, it saw an average of 245 a day last month. Shannon Sinn Féin local election candidate James Ryan says it's getting to the point that chronic overcrowding is almost normalised at UHL.

The Health Minister insists continuing to invest in Ennis Hospital will be key to easing the overcrowding burden on UHL. It comes one week after the issuing of a letter by the HSE Chief Clinical Office to the Midwest Hospital Campaign Group outlining its reasons against reopening Ennis's A&E. Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation meanwhile put overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick 70% higher than that of the next busiest facility last month. Responding to a parliamentary question in the Dáil, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says investing in the Ennis facility is crucial but argues the situation at UHL won't be resolved simplying by boosting capacity elsewhere.

Once again this winter, the Irish healthcare system has been overwhelmed, with thousands of appointments cancelled, hundreds lying on hospital trollies waiting for beds, and staff once more having to complain about unsafe and unfair working conditions.On this episode, Chris speaks to three women who see the healthcare system from very different angles: Professor Sara Burke is Director of the Centre for Health Policy and Management at Trinity College Dublin School of Medicine. Dr Monica Oikeh is a GP based in Cork, who has amassed huge views on TikTok with her helpful and accessible videos on healthcare, busting taboos around mental, sexual and female health. And Phil Ní Sheaghda is the General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. At Ireland's Edge in Dingle in front of a live audience, Chris asks them how we can bring people together to improve our healthcare, as well as about implementing reform, the promise of Universal Healthcare in Sláintecare, equal access for all and more.*Correction and clarification from panellist Dr Sara Burke:When discussing the increase in the number of staff on HSE payroll between 2019 and 2023, Dr Burke cites figures from the Health Sector Employment Report SEP 2023, citing the 'total people/head count figure from 2023' instead of the 'WTE (Whole Time Equivalent)' from 2023, inadvertently overstating the increase. However, the overall point remains that there are much greater staff increases in the hospital system rather than in primary, community care and social care. We thank Dr Burke for this clarification. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Clare Government TD claims poor rostering is partially to blame for chronic levels of overcrowding at the region's main hospital. It comes one day after University Hospital Limerick broke the national overcrowding record for the third time in two weeks, with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation recording 150 patients on trolleys during morning rounds. The INMO has deemed the conditions of the Dooradoyle facility "unacceptable and dangerous", while the new HSE MidWest Regional Executive has once again advised patients to consider all options before presenting at the emergency department. Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe says while he believes the overcrowding is partially due to insufficient bed capacity, blame must be apportioned to management for poor rostering.

Nurses say they've lost hope that chronic levels of overcrowding at the region's main hospital will be resolved. University Hospital Limerick has broken the national record for hospital overcrowding for the third time in two weeks, with 150 patients waiting for beds during morning rounds, according to the INMO. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says patients are being placed in "all available spaces, whatever their condition," which it says is "unacceptable and dangerous." The UL Hospitals Group has said that 270 patients attended the Dooradoyle facility yesterday, and it's advising that anyone who comes to ED, who doesn't have a life-threatening or severe illness or injury, will face a significant wait. INMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations for the Midwest, Mary Fogarty has been telling Clare FM's Fiona Cahill that targeted measures are needed immediately to protect working nurses in these departments and wards.

The Health Minister has accused hospital management of failing to do what's needed to address the overcrowding crisis at University Hospital Limerick. Staffing at the region's main hospital is up 40% or 1,100 in the last three and a half years, while in the last month, the number of people waiting for a bed at the facility has soared by 75%, according to Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation figures. The first of two planned 96-bed blocks at the Dooradoyle facility is in the construction phase and is expected to come on stream later this year. Responding to a question from Clare Independent TD Violet Anne Wynne at the Oireachtas Health Committee, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly insists that if UHL is given resources by government, it must play its part by tackling ongoing patient flow issues.

The Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation has launched a new branch in Kerry. General secretary of the INMO Phil Ní Sheaghdha, who is from Ceann Trá, spoke to Treasa Murphy

This year has been the worst ever for hospital overcrowding according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. However, the HSE has hit back at these claims and defended its record in 2023. David Cullinane, Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Health spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Antoinette Cunningham, General Secretary Association of Garda Sergeants & Inspectors // Geoff McEvoy, Industrial Organiser with SIPTU reprsenting, Dublin Fire Brigade // Richard Shakespeare, CEO of Dublin City Council // Phil Ni Sheagna, General Secretary, Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation // Shane Higgins, Master National Maternity Hospital

Mary Fogarty, Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Assistant Director of Industrial Relations, discusses the start of a period of work to rule at St John's Hospital in Limerick.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General Secretary, Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation General Secretary, reacts to a HSE plan to discharge some elderly patients to the first available nursing home.

The head of the HSE has disputed figures suggesting record-breaking levels of overcrowding at the region's main hospital this week. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation reported on Monday that 130 admitted patients were without a bed at University Hospital Limerick during morning rounds. However, the HSE's Chief Executive Officer claims the actual number was closer to 60, with 40 of these on trolleys in the Emergency Department. Responding to a question from Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway at the Oireachtas Health Committee, Bernard Gloster says regardless of the true figure, additional assistance is required by UHL management.

More than seven thousand MORE patients have been left waiting for beds at University Hospital Limerick so far this year, than any other hospital in the country. The latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show there were more than 17,000 patients on trolleys at the University Hospital Limerick between January and today. It comes as a spotlight has been shone on the Dooradoyle facility, following record-breaking levels of overcrowding earlier this week.

The Midwest Hospital Campaign Group believes management at the region's main hospital must be held accountable for the facility's ongoing overcrowding crisis. It comes one day after the INMO recorded the highest ever level of admitted patients on trolleys at an Irish hospital at University Hospital Limerick. Record-breaking trolley numbers were recorded by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation at the region's main hospital yesterday, where 130 admitted patients were waiting for beds; the highest number ever recorded on a single day at any Irish hosptial. That number has falled to 108 today, though the Emergency Department remains extremely busy. The UL Hospitals Group has acknowledged this level is "far in excess" of where they want it to be and have highlighted measures being undertaken to curb overcrowding. This includes opening surge capacity, transferring patients on trolleys to inpatient wards and working to identify patients suitable for transfer to Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's Hospitals. Hospital management are also advising people to "avoid the ED except in cases of severe or life-threatening illness or injury" and are pointing out that "anyone attending ED who doesn't have a life-threatening or severe illness or injury will face a significant wait". Midwest Hospital Campaign Group member Marie McMahon, whose husband passed away at UHL in 2018, says it's vital blame isn't levelled at staff. Meanwhile, at the Oireachtas Committee on Health which is in session today, HSE CEO Bernard Gloster has once again described the health service's €22.5 billion budget allocation as wholly "inadequate". Clare Regional Health Forum Member Councillor Cillian Murphy says at the very least, the situation at the region's main hospital represents an obvious fire and health and safety hazard.

Record-breaking levels of overcrowding are being experienced at the region's main hospital today. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation's latest analysis shows there were 130 admitted patients on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick this morning. It's the highest level of overcrwoding ever recorded at any Irish hospital since records began and is also almost three times higher than any other facility in the country today. INMO Assistant Director for Industrial Relations for the Midwest, Mary Fogarty says that this level of overcrowding is frightening for both patients and staff.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, discusses the situation surrounding overcrowding in hospitals, as stakeholders prepare for a meeting of the Emergency Department Taskforce

Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation

Louise Ryan, Senior Professor of Sociology at London Metroplitan University, discusses the contribution of Irish nurses to 75 years of the NHS.

The Interconnecting Housing and Health Emergencies Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks to nurses about how they are being affected by the housing crisis (paying three quarters of their salaries on rent, huge personal stress) and how its also impacting the health system (hospitals unable to recruit staff due to lack of housing), and on their patients (the impact of stress, substandard housing and homelessness on health). The podcast starts with Ms Phil Ni Sheaghdha, General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), and is followed by nurses involved with the INMO, including Jamie Murphy, a nurse in CHI Tallaght who talks about how housing is impacting nurses and their patients, with children from 6 months old with multiple presentations at hospital due to respiratory illness picked up in hotels and homeless hubs. We also talk to representatives of the Indian nurses organisations, including Janet baby joseph, a midwife in Cork University Hospital, representing the Cork Indian Nurses. The interview with Housing Minister, Darragh O'Brien is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/83243652