The enduring stress being placed on nurses and midwives in trying to maintain a safe standard of care was highlighted at the recent ADC in Letterkenny.

The Ballina / Belmullet branch of the INMO noted the increased number of people requiring a public health service and the increased acuity of patients.

It put forward a motion, calling on the Health Service Executive and other employers to urgently implement specific policies, including robust health and safety measures, so that nurses and midwives are protected from suffering mounting workplace stress.

Frances Cullen, from the Ballina Branch, said: “The INMO counselling helpline has been receiving an increased number of calls on a daily basis and we are all acutely aware of some nurses in this present economic climate that simply cannot afford assistance in a private capacity.”

She called on the INMO to address stress and burnout by introducing a “more accessible” counselling service that is ongoing in nature.

Anne Burke, chair of the Galway Branch and Executive Council member, said: “The increasing caseload endured by our nurses and midwives on a daily basis coupled with the depleted and diminished workforce has contributed in its totality to a stress-immersed workforce.

“This stress is being compounded by the failure of managements right across the countr y to implement existing support structures.”

She added: “In some quarters, management drive the staff deeper into stress because they fail to understand or acknowledge the constraints that nurses or midwives are working under.”

Ms Burke continued: “On a daily basis I meet nurses and midwives whose personal lives have been fractured and torn apart due to unmanaged work-related stress. This cannot and must not continue.”

The motion was passed by the delegates unanimously.

ADC - Motion puts overwhelming work stress in the spotlight