Nurses plan hospital protest

Claims by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation that conditions at University Maternity Hospital Limerick make it unsafe for mothers and babies have been rejected by management.

Nurses plan a protest at the hospital tomorrow to highlight their concerns and may ballot for industrial action.

A spokesman for the University of Limerick hospitals group said it has been actively engaged with the INMO on staffing levels at the hospital and that it regrets the action of the group while these talks progress.

The spokesman said: “Staffing deficits at [the maternity hospital] are recognised by all parties concerned but UL hospitals group rejects any assertion or suggestion that our maternity services are unsafe for mothers and their babies as a result”

He said UL hospitals group has been actively engaged in a recruitment campaign since January 2015.

“To date this year, 55 midwives have been employed on permanent contracts by UL hospitals group. In addition, 13 midwifery graduates (class of 2015) have recently been offered contracts and we hope to see them take up appointment in the coming weeks.

“The CEO’s office has also just approved the placement of advertisements for 25 positions in general midwifery (15 replacement and 10 new posts) and 10 new neo-natal nursing posts. All existing vacancies in the labour ward and the maternity emergency unit have been filled.

“This ongoing recruitment campaign — through the UL hospitals group and the National Recruitment Service — goes a considerable distance towards addressing the concerns highlighted by the unions.”

Safe staffing ratios in their maternity services are being considered by the National Birthrate Plus Workforce planning group established by the health minister.

The UL hospitals group spokesman said: “This is the only evidence-based workforce planning tool for maternity services.”

He said that, according to the most recent perinatal statistics, University Maternity Hospital Limerick was one of the best-performing hospitals in the country in relation to maternal and neonatal care delivery.