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.