New “critical emergency” protocols are needed in the HSE to deal with this phase of the pandemic, the INMO’s Executive Council said today.

Staffing levels in Ireland’s health service are “in freefall”, the INMO has warned today.

Childcare alternatives must be in place for frontline healthcare workers during school closures, the INMO has said.

Nursing and midwifery students have strongly criticised a report into their treatment during the pandemic released tonight.

Student representatives, who met this evening, said that the report does not reflect the high-COVID risk Irish hospitals now pose, nor the work they will be asked to do in the coming weeks and months.

Ireland’s hospitals are now under “extreme” pressure due to a surge in COVID cases, the INMO has warned.

The union has been contacted by concerned frontline members across the country this weekend, pointing to a major increase in the number of patients presenting, along with high levels of staff out on COVID leave or for self-isolation.

At least 53,325 patients went without beds in Irish hospitals in 2020, new annual figures from the INMO show...