Staff shortages 'causing risks to mother and baby safety' at Tipperary hospital

"The situation has gone beyond crisis point when midwives at Tipperary University Hospital have issued a warning that staff shortages are causing risks to the safety of women and their babies", Deputy Michael Lowry told Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, in the Dail on Thursday.  

"Government must explain to the public what it is doing to address dangerous staff shortages in our health service. We have a massive retention and recruitment issue", said Deputy Lowry.

The Deputy’s question arose from reports that Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) members working in the Clonmel hospital's maternity department have written to the hospital management, stating that they cannot be held accountable or responsible for any adverse event that might occur.

"We now have reached an alarming situation where nurses are in fear of being blamed for unfortunate outcomes caused directly by gross understaffing.

"Tánaiste, the greatest asset of any organisation is its people. When it comes to the provision of healthcare, it simply cannot function safely without sufficient staff.   

"The serious staffing problems at Tipperary University Hospital's maternity unit need to be addressed urgently", stated Deputy Lowry.

The Tánaiste responded by saying that Government is actively recruiting people for the health service, both domestically and abroad.

"I think we have something like 130,000–135,000 people working in our health service now, which is more than ever before. We have 81,000 nurses and midwives, which would again be more than ever before.

"We’ve never had more doctors or consultants working in our health service than is the case now", he said.

The Tánaiste added, ‘But this of course comes against a backdrop of a rising population, increasing medical need and a move towards shorter working hours and more part-time work." 

He concluded by saying that he does not have information in relation to Tipperary specifically, but he will follow it up through his office and get further information to provide to Deputy Lowry.