INMO Call on HSE to Suspend All Services at Naas General Hospital

The INMO has today (Friday) been advised that there are 35 nursing staff and 10 HCA staff currently unavailable to frontline rosters due to COVID-19 infections in Naas General Hospital. 

In a letter to hospital management this evening, the INMO called on hospital management and the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group to implement the following:   

1. All elective/day surgery and outpatient work immediately cease to allow for the safe staffing of inpatient rosters.
2. HSE and Naas General Hospital to advise the public of the current challenges within the hospital and to only attend the hospital if absolutely necessary.
3. All catchment area GPs be advised of the crisis and referrals to other locations to be made.

 INMO industrial relations officer, Joe Hoolan said:

It is unacceptable that the hospital remains fully operational while staffing levels are at such a critical level. We need decisive action to avoid putting patients and staff at risk. Our members have grave concerns regarding significant staffing deficits this weekend and next week. There is an immense risk to safe patient care while staff struggles to maintain the service in unworkable conditions.

The INMO is aware all frontline staff is to have immediate surveillance swabs for COVID-19. In view of this, all non-essential services must pause for a minimum of 7 days. Patients and staff welfare must be the absolute priority at this time.