88% of midwives in Irish hospitals say units are understaffed most of the time

Some 82% of midwives say the recommended ratio of one midwife per 29.5 births is not happening in their hospitals.

Some 88% of midwives in Irish hospitals said their units are understaffed most of the time and warned this is negatively affecting safety, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has found.

Pregnant women are already seeing the impact with 82% of midwives saying the recommended ratio of one midwife per 29.5 births is not happening in their hospitals.