‘Left with their hands tied behind their back’

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation believes the HSE South will end up seeking a supplementary budget later in the year as it struggles to deliver against a backdrop of budget cuts and staff reductions.

INMO spokeswoman Patsy Doyle said she did not believe planned bed closures were feasible at a time when the Government’s special delivery unit was focused on reducing numbers on trolleys and slashing patient waiting times.

Hospitals across the South and South-East are set to lose 93 beds while at the same starting the year on a budget €55m down on 2011. In addition, 909 staff will have left the service since last September.