Agreement temporarily suspends industrial action in University Hospital Limerick's ICU

IN A SIGNIFICANT development, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and University Hospital Limerick (UHL) have reached an agreement that has led to the suspension of industrial action in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The proposal, brokered through the Workplace Relations Commission, aims to address the pressing issue of staffing shortfalls and improve patient and staff safety.

Mary Fogarty, the Assistant Director of Relations at INMO, expressed her satisfaction with the temporary agreement. She stated, "the work-to-rule in the Intensive Care Unit in University Hospital Limerick has been suspended to allow a ballot to take place on an agreement reached between the INMO and hospital management through the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission."

The agreement focuses on several key measures to alleviate the strain on ICU staff. "Measures included in the agreement include a commitment to ensure that at least sixteen nurses will be rostered in for both day and night duty for the twelve bed ward, nurses who work in the ICU will be facilitated to take their annual leave and assurances have been made that additional ICU nurses will be on site in June and July," continued the assistant director.

This move aims to bolster the existing staffing complement.

Ms Fogarty emphasized the critical importance of safe staffing levels in the ICU, underscoring the "intolerable" pressure faced by nurses while striving to provide exceptional care to critically ill patients.

The agreement reflects a commitment from both INMO and UHL to address these concerns promptly.