Nurses take to streets in protest against overcrowding

AS latest figures from the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) show that the A&E crisis is getting worse not better, nurses will take to the streets today to protest against overcrowding.

In the first week of this month, INO figures show an average of 326 people were on trolleys compared to 291 in the first week of March and 256 in the first week of February.

This is despite pledges from the Department of Health that increased investment would begin to show results by late March. INO general secretary Liam Doran said the lunchtime demonstrations were aimed at urging the community to express their anger, and frustration at the lack of progress.

He called on fellow trade unionists, community groups and families of patients to join the protests in their area. “The misery and plight of patients, spending days on trolleys and chairs, has already been repeatedly highlighted,” he said.

“However, the real negative fallout is only fully appreciated when the individual patient and his/her family are actually experiencing it.” The demonstrations, involving patients and nurses, will begin at the Mater Hospital Dublin, Cork University Hospital and Roscommon General Hospital before spreading nationwide during April.

The objectives of the campaign include securing clear timeframes for the full implementation of the 10-point A&E plan announced by the Tanáiste in November and timeframes for the introduction of further acute beds, non-acute beds and primary care units.

SIPTU joined the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in pledging its support for the INO campaign.