Press Release

 

Mandatory Nurse: Patient Ratios called for

- The Organisation has called for the introduction of mandatory  nurse: patient ratios

 

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation met with the Oireachtas Health Committee this morning to discuss the many issues arising from the INMO’s comparative survey of  nurse staffing levels  in medical, surgical, care of the elderly and admission and assessment units in hospitals in Ireland versus the UK (copy of presentation here).

 

This survey, carried out independently by Dr Keith Hurst, Independent Researcher and Analyst, based in the UK, confirms that staffing levels, in this country, are now at a critical and unsafe level. This survey also confirmed the INMO’s worst fears that our staff levels are now compromising patient care and the ability of registered nurses to ensure safe care through safe practice. 

 

At today’s meeting, with the Committee, the INMO presented the research data and identified the huge pressures, now encountered by nurses and midwives every day, arising from the recruitment embargo (which has seen over 4,500 posts lost) and the increased demands upon the service due to higher levels of patient acuity and dependency.

 

In closing our presentation the INMO called upon the Oireachtas Health Committee to initiate discussions leading to the introduction of nurse : patient ratios across our health service.

 

The meeting also saw detailed discussions, with members of the Committee, on such issues as the recruitment embargo, clinical risk, budget challenges and skill/grade mix including structured roles for all grades of ward based staff.

 

The Committee Chair, Mr. Jerry Buttimer TD, concluded the meeting by confirming the Committee would reflect upon the INMO’s submission and, in particular, consider the request for the introduction of nurse : patient ratios.

 

Speaking afterwards INMO General Secretary Liam Doran said:

 

“Today’s meeting with the Oireachtas Health Committee, on the issue of staffing levels, is greatly appreciated, by the INMO, as it allowed us to put on record the results of our independent survey and our genuine fears with regard to the ability of nurses, and midwives, to deliver safe care through safe practice.

 

The INMO has now formally requested that the Health Committee would commence dialogue, with all relevant stakeholders, leading to the introduction, through regulation if necessary, of mandatory nurse: patient ratios across our health service.  We have made ourselves available, to the Committee, for further discussions on this issue following their further examination of this request”.

 

Mr.  Doran concluded:

 

“The INMO’s priority, as articulated at our meeting today, is for the highest quality of care, being made available to patients, at all times, through the safe practice of nurses and midwives who have the time, and resources, to meet this required standard.  It is our view, having reflected on this matter over recent months, that this cannot be achieved without regulation through the introduction of agreed nurse: patient ratios. There is now no other way to counter-balance the current fixation, by health service management, on meeting budget targets and employment ceilings”.

 

Presentation to Oireachtas Health Committee on Safe Staffing Levels - 24.01.13

 

-ends-