Simon Harris to review bed capacity amid nursing deficit

The minister for health has said his department is to order a review of bed capacity in hospitals to try to bring the number of working nurses to “adequate levels” after nurses last week called for bed closures at University Hospital Limerick, claiming there were not enough of them.

Following the closure of emergency departments (EDs) at St John’s Hospital, Limerick; Ennis in Clare; and Nenagh in Tipperary, all medical emergencies are catered for at UHL, with serious head trauma cases transferred to Cork University Hospital.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has estimated up to 350 nurses are required in Limerick city. However, the HSE has said just 62 posts need to be filled, excluding temporary vacancies arising from maternity leave. A plan to recruit 100 more nurses to work out of a new ED in Limerick which is expected to be completed next May, is continuing.