The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has welcomed the establishment of a new Health and Social Care Advisory Committee of the Health and Safety Authority.
The Minister for Enterprise, Simon Coveney, has confirmed to the INMO that this Committee will be established before year end, following substantial representations from the INMO.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said:
We absolutely welcome the confirmation from Minister Simon Coveney that the Health and Safety Authority will establish a new Health and Social Care Advisory Committee. The INMO met Minister Coveney and Minister Richmond on this issue on 2nd May 2023 and they have taken a proactive approach to this very important issue.
The INMO has long called for this type of action to be taken in light of the often dangerous conditions that nurses and midwives work in. It is not acceptable that over ten nurses and midwives are physically, verbally or sexually assaulted every single day all while working in overcrowded and understaffed wards.
The work of the HSA has been transformative in the construction and farming sectors. We look forward to strong worker representation in the work of the new Health and Social Care Advisory Committee.
Recent INMO surveys show that over 65% of nurses have faced some type of aggression at work. Ensuring a safer workplace will go a long way to improving the retention levels in the health service.