After a proposal was accepted by the hospital and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), the intensive care unit (ICU) nurses’ strike at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has been suspended.
The nurses in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) started a work-to-rule industrial action last week, which meant they only completed tasks in accordance with their employment agreements and did not take on any more work.
The INMO said this was an unprecedented step for nurses to take, and that they did so due to deep concerns about “the potential deviation away from one nurse to one patient care in the ICU”.
The INMO reported last week that there is a 22% staffing gap in the ICU of the Limerick hospital, which implies that over one-quarter of the needed nurses are not on the roster.
Despite this, all of the ICU beds on the ward remain open.
Speaking today, INMO assistant director of relations Mary Fogarty said: “The work-to-rule in the Intensive Care Unit in University Hospital Limerick has been suspended to allow a ballot to take place on an agreement reached between the INMO and hospital management through the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission.
“The agreement reached is a temporary one to address the staffing shortfalls that are impacting both patient and staff safety in the ICU.”
As part of the measures, it is guaranteed that there will be at least 16 nurses rostered in for the 12-bed ward’s day and night shifts.
Fogarty added: “Nurses who work in the ICU will be facilitated to take their annual leave and assurances have been made that additional ICU nurses will be on site in June and July to bolster the current staffing complement.
“Safe staffing in the ICU is of utmost importance to our members who have been under intolerable pressure while trying to provide excellent care to very sick patients.”