Finance Dept urged to end nursing staff cap

The Department of Finance has been urged to lift a two-year-old cap on the number of staff that can be hired by hospitals in Ireland.

The Irish Association of Directors of Nursing and Midwifery said the measure, introduced as part of budget cutbacks in 2002, has led to a reduction in levels of patient care.

It also said the cap was counter-productive as it forced hospitals to hire agency nurses to fill gaps.