INMO calls for action on Drogheda hospital problems

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is calling for a strategic plan to alleviate overcrowding and staff shortages at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

The group says overcrowding there is dangerous for patients and causes problems for staff.

Members the organisation are holding a lunchtime protest outside the gates of the hospital today to highlight the situation.

INMO Industrial Relations Officer Tony Fitzpatrick says there are a number of reasons for the current crisis:

"There has been a reconfiguration of services in the north-east over the last five years; beds have been closed in Dundalk, Navan and Monaghan," Mr Fitzpatrick said.

"So (Drogheda) is, as far as we're concerned, one of the worst and most overcrowded emergency departments in the country, and the staff vacancies are one of the worst levels of staffing deficits.

"What we require is a strategic plan to be put in place to assist this hospital to get out of the current crisis."