Nurses’ absenteeism blamed for ward closure

A SURGE in absenteeism by nurses has been blamed for the continued closure of a surgical ward at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital resulting in the cancellation of up to 40 elective operations since Monday.

Ward 1C, which has 17 beds, was closed at the weekend with the usual drop in patient numbers over the Friday/Sunday period when there were 30 vacant beds throughout the hospital.

However, 1C could not reopen on Monday as there were not enough nurses on duty.

Health Service Executive management at the hospital said yesterday they are determined to ensure that all available nursing staff are deployed to maintain frontline surgical services.

HSE spokesman Michael Walsh said: “This includes the immediate reopening of the 17 bed surgical ward closed on Monday following a surge in nurse absenteeism.”

He said the hospital has 700 nurses on its payroll.

Mr Walsh said: “We refuse to accept that it is impossible to transfer nurses from the various elective areas in order to give priority to acute patient care. Ward 1C was closed temporarily last weekend due to lack of demand at a time when the hospital had 30 vacant beds. It was due to reopen on Monday to cope with renewed demand for beds but nursing management declared they did not have the necessary staff to do so.”

Following an examination of staff numbers and attendances and consultation with the various disciplines within the hospital, the executive spokesman said they are satisfied the resources are in place to effect an immediate reopening of Ward 1C.

“The necessary instructions are being given and we hope to be in a position to make a positive announcement on the matter shortly,” said Mr Walsh.

Mary Fogarty of the Irish Nurses Organisation said she doubted the temporary closure was due to staff absenteeism.

She said: “The Health Service Executive has never raised any issues with the unions regarding staff absenteeism and even if they didn’t it would be very unusual to close a ward on this basis.”

Kieran O’Donnell TD of Fine Gael claimed the drop in nurses on duty is result of the executive’s embargo on filling jobs.

However, the HSE has rejected his assertion.

Meanwhile, the HSE yesterday confirmed that a neurologist has been appointed for the mid-west and will take up duty in Limerick on January 1 next.

The appointment won’t be affected by the HSE’s embargo on new jobs.

At present patients in the mid-west are treated by a neurologist who travels to Limerick for weekly clinics.

The new position will cost e1.67 million to finance.

This will include the consultant’s remuneration and financing necessary back up services.

A number of organisations including the mid-west branch of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland have been pressing for a resident neurologist over the past number of years.