The Irish Nurses’ Organisation (INO) said today that immediate action at ground level not talking shops is what is now needed to solve the problems in accident and emergency departments.
While welcoming the commitments made yesterday by the Minister for Health, Mr Míchael Martin, INO industrial relations officer Mr Tony Fitzpatick told
ireland.com
members are very sceptical and wanted to see results at ground level.
|
The ballot for industrial action at the A&E departments is continuing despite yesterday’s meeting between the nursing unions - the INO and SIPTU -nd Mr Michael Martin.
At that meeting, the Minister announced a A&E forum and said he would ask the chief executive of each of the health boards to meet with the nurses' unions to discuss how best to prevent overcrowding in the A&E departments as well
as examining hospital admission and discharge policies.
SIPTU last night said they were "disappointed" with proposals and called for "something more substantial" before it considered calling off industrial action.
The INO said A&E departments are shouldering the problems of the health service including the beds shortages, and lack of community services and psychiatric cover beyond nine-to-five weekdays, security problems and shortages within consultant services.
Mr Fitzpatrick said A&E nurses cannot provide proper care and services so patients and staff are suffering. urses are disillusioned and sceptical, he said. "They have see forums and do not want the situation to turn into a talk shop with no progress".
The INO called for continuous action and for health board CEOs to take responsibility for the proper management of beds, and hospital admission and discharge policies.
The union submitted a Summary of immediate initiatives required to address overcrowding in A&E departmentsdocument to the Minister at yesterday's which outlines its suggestions for action.