Appeal issued over key roles at Mayo hospital's ICU

A Mayo TD has called for the appointment of shift lead staff at the intensive care unit of Mayo University Hospital.

Deputy Alan Dillon said he has been contacted by a number of staff at the unit who are in dispute with Saolta Hospital Group in relation to the appointment of six shift leaders at the eight-bed unit in Castlebar.

“The appointment of these six staff is in line with the HSE National Clinical Programme for adult critical care,” he said.

However, Deputy Dillon has outlined that no progress has been made on their appointments.

The Fine Gael TD contacted the Minister for Health who referred his query to the HSE.

“In their reply, MUH said they currently do not have approval to recruit shift leads in ICU. They have indicated there is an identified nurse in charge in ICU on every shift 24/7,” the minister revealed.

Deputy Dillon said: “It is important that this hospital is not an outlier compared to hospitals in Sligo, Letterkenny, Galway who have shift lead staff in place.

“Shift Lead staff ensure patient safety, quality of care and safe staffing levels within the unit and are critically important to the safe running of the department.

"I am calling on the CEO of the HSE Bernard Gloster and the Minister for Health to ensure this matter is resolved as soon as possible.”