INMO to ballot for industrial action by ICU nurses in University Hospital Limerick

THE IRISH Nurses and Midwives Organisation will commence a ballot of Intensive Care Unit nurses in University Hospital Limerick in pursuance of safe staffing. 

The INMO have said a ballot will take place over the coming weeks and they will notify hospital management of the outcome upon completion.

INMO Assistant Director of Relations, Mary Fogarty said: "After exhausting negotiations at local level, the INMO has been mandated by members to commence a ballot for industrial action in the Intensive Care Unit in University Hospital Limerick. 

Young man in threat to ‘knock out’ garda sergeant on street in Limerick town

"The issues that exist in University Hospital Limerick have been well documented by this union.

"The lack of consistent safe staffing in the intensive care unit is having a detrimental impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of our members working in this unit and their patients. 

"Hospital management have failed to provide an appropriate contingency plan to address the nurse deficits in the ICU and the enablement of outstanding annual leave, time off In Lieu to be taken and/or paid to nurses as requested."

A spokesperson of the University of Limerick Hospitals Group said that nurse management at the hospital regularly engage with INMO colleagues. 

"Nurse management have had two specific meetings with the INMO on the matter of ICU staffing and these have informed recruitment campaigns as well as planning for nursing staff leave entitlements.

"These meetings have also led to the implementation of a number of short-term measures to ensure the continued safe delivery of care.

"Our nursing recruitment campaign has been underway for some time, is running nationally and internationally, and includes a bespoke campaign for ICU nursing. 

"We have six clinical skills facilitator positions within our critical care unit, who support a significant training programme which includes new staff in the ICU unit.
 
"Currently, staff are redeployed to the ICU to support patient care when required. Standards of care in the ICU, which requires one-to-one care, have always been maintained."

The spokesperson said that the group were disappointed that the INMO have sought to ballot their members. 

"A ballot for strike action is premature given that local engagement and other dispute resolution procedures have not been exhausted. We remain committed to engaging on the matter to ensure satisfactory resolution of the matter.  
 
"Like all hospitals around the country, we are affected by staffing challenges and there is a concerted focus by the management at the hospital to ensure that staffing deficits are prioritised. 

"We are fortunate to have one of the most modern ICUs in the country. Staff working in the ICU provide exceptional care to our patients."