Nurses vote to commence industrial action

MEMBERS of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) in the maternity unit at Mayo University Hospital have unanimously balloted in favour of industrial action, up to and including a full withdrawal of labour, due to staff shortages.

Members will stage a lunchtime protest at the hospital on Monday next, December 5, from 1 to 2 p.m. This will be followed by a work to rule from the following Wednesday during which members will withdraw from clerical and support duties to focus on, and prioritise, direct midwifery care.

If no progress is made members will proceed to a full withdrawal of labour.

The action is to be taken in pursuit of the INMO's claims for the maternity ward, labour ward and maternity outpatient department to deal comprehensively with what it says are 'the understaffing, lack of key specialist roles and lack of robust governance structures within the department'.

In a statement issued today, the INMO has called for an independent review of staffing in the maternity unit and a number of key appointments, among other measures.

Deputy Lisa Chambers is to raise the matter in the Dáil in the coming days.

The decision by INMO members to commence industrial action is based on their concerns in relation to patient safety and their ability to provide safe care.