The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has begun a ballot of its members in Mayo University Hospital in response to what it described as “dangerous staffing shortfalls” in the hospital.
The union has accused the HSE of failing to implement the Safe Staffing Framework, which sets out minimum staffing levels required for safe patient care.
The INMO said it is calling for a significant number of additional funded positions to be added in the Emergency Department to meet these minimum levels.
The ballot for industrial action is open to members in Emergency Department A, Emergency Department B, the Medical Assessment Unit, and the Escalation Team, representing the wider unscheduled care directorate of the hospital.
INMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations for the area Colm Porter said: “This ballot comes at the end of a long process in which we have tried to resolve the ongoing staffing issues with management in the hospital.
“Unfortunately the staffing proposals made by management did not meet the minimum level required to maintain the safety of staff and patients in the emergency department.”
“Our members have lost confidence in the hospital’s ability to address these concerns through normal engagement channels and have now been left with no option but to escalate the matter,” Mr Porter added.
The HSE has been contacted for comment.
