INO slams employers’ 'poor response' to nursing shortage
The Irish Nurses Organisation has accused health service employers of being in denial about a growing shortage of nurses and midwives in Ireland.
The organisation said the employers' response to the recent difficulties at Crumlin Children's Hospital confirmed their total lack of understanding of the extent of the crisis.
Surgery for two children had to be cancelled at the hospital last week because of a shortage of intensive care nurses.
INO general secretary Liam Doran said if action were not taken to address the shortage, the health service would deteriorate further next year.
"We already had a situation where over 3,000 Irish-trained nurses left Ireland in 2003," he said. "Next year, we don't have a qualifying group because we've now gone to a four-year degree programme, which means that the coming shortages will be exacerbated, leaving us with upwards of 2,500 vacancies in 2005."
