The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organization (INMO) are taking a stand against the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) suspension of new hires. Last year, the HSE halted recruitment indefinitely, citing budget constraints. Recently, a 13% surge in emergency department visits compared to 2023 has left 452 patients without hospital beds.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha highlighted the strain on nurses and health workers, facing backlash from frustrated patients due to overcrowding. She criticized the government, accusing them of being aware of the staffing shortage but unwilling to allocate more funds.
The HSE defends the freeze, citing an exhausted budget for new hires. Ní Sheaghdha argues that the government should allocate additional funds, emphasizing that freezing recruitment isn’t a solution. She urges immediate resumption of hiring to address the escalating healthcare crisis.