Minister 'must ensure safe service levels at Mayo University Hospital' – TD
Following her attendance at the Forsa, SIPTU and INMO demonstration outside Mayo University Hospital, Mayo TD Rose Conway Walsh, has raised staffing levels in the hospital with the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.
The Sinn Féin representative outlined: “At that demonstration at Mayo University Hospital I spoke with representatives from the INMO who told me of the government’s attempt conceal the reality of vacant staff positions that had not been filled by the end of 2023.
“Currently in MUH there are over 82 whole time equivalent staff vacancies. Yet we are told that the moratorium has been lifted.
“When broken down this translates to the absence of two advanced nurse practitioners, 47 staff nurses, 17 midwives, and a range of nursing specialist and management positions. How can this not have a negative impact on the delivery of healthcare in our main hospital.
“Across the healthcare sector in Mayo there are huge shortages of staff including in mental health services and services for older people.
“Everyone in Mayo knows what the outworking of these missing staff is – cancelled appointments, ambulances queued outside the ED, no hope of getting a child seen by CAMHS in a timely manner, no physio or OT for older or disabled people."
She continued by asking the Minister for Health to attend MUH and other hospitals unannounced to see what staff and patients are really going through.
“When the minister goes to hospitals, everything is clear and pristine. He is given PowerPoint presentations with wonderful statistics.
"He needs to speak to the nurses, staff and healthcare assistants on the front line. He needs to call unannounced to see exactly what is going on in these situations.
"It is not fair on staff or the people in Mayo that they have to tolerate situations like this. Is it any wonder that people who need to attend hospital are reluctant to go?
"After 13 years in power, this government has clearly failed to tackle the crisis in healthcare.”