Mayo University Hospital.
Approval delayed for 30 new staff members
Published:
Tue 9 Sep 2025, 11:57 AM
The emergency department at Mayo University Hospital (MUH) has been embroiled in a fresh patient safety controversy due to a shortfall of 30 nurses on its rosters.
The grave situation, described as a serious breach of human dignity, is exposed by INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha following a visit to the Castlebar facility on September 4.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha speaking at the emergecy department of Mayo University Hospital. Photo: Instagram.
She stated the cause of the problem is a delay in funding which has been sought for some time.
Ms. Ní Sheaghdha said the severe shortage of staff is not only a cause of concern for patients because of the potential dangers posed, but it is also a source of immense frustration and anger for the INMO members at the facility.
She said: “The department is chaotic and not conducive to safe care.
“Some patients are being left on trolleys for up to 24 hours. When you are down 30 nurses, the waiting times are much longer.
“Our members are fed up with this system. It is interfering with their ability to provide safe care. The situation simply cannot be sustained going into the winter months.”
Ms. Ní Sheaghdha explained: “Unless we see a hospital-by-hospital plan to tackle overcrowding, we are in for a very bleak winter in Irish hospitals which will see nurses and patients in extremely unsafe circumstances.
“Nurses and other healthcare staff will not continue to work in these environments. Predictable surges of healthcare needs must have a planned approach to deal with them.
“If the government and HSE are serious about retaining those who already work in the health service, needless bureaucratic delays to recruitment must be removed and meaningful action must be taken to ensure safe care conditions for both patients and staff.
“No nurse wants to have to care for patients in sub-optimal conditions.”
Published:
Tue 9 Sep 2025, 11:57 AM