Nurses’ union: Patient care being compromised

The country’s largest nursing union has claimed that its members’ ability to provide safe levels of care to patients is being compromised by a significant shortfall in staff numbers.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said HSE figures show there are now 5,100 fewer full-time equivalent nurses and midwives working in Ireland than there were in 2009.

The INMO said it has been asking for a long time that the moratorium on the recruitment of nurses and midwifery grades be lifted.