If you face ongoing challenges on issues such as PPE, safe practice, vaccinations, we have re-established a members’ COVID19 Surge Freephone
We also have a confidential support number for members
Three key updates are below, following from the email we sent you earlier in the week, which included the latest information on childcare and professional practice.
1. Vaccination priority:
We are continuously raising the issues you bring to our attention relating to vaccine distribution with the government and HSE. Our key demand is that frontline healthcare workers remain a priority for vaccination and that the HSE’s priority sequence is rigidly adhered to. The only issue limiting vaccination of healthcare workers and long-term care residents should be supplied. The government must do everything it can to increase supplies of vaccines.
We are also consulting colleagues in the European Federation of Nurses and in the International Council of Nurses (ICN) to get up-to-date research in relation to PPE and vaccines. Crucially, we are working with them to request WHO and EU support in increasing vaccines delivery to countries such as Ireland with high healthcare worker infection rates.
The infection rates for healthcare workers recorded by the ICN show a higher-than-average rate of healthcare worker infection in Ireland as a % of total infections. We are arguing that our proximity to the UK (where virulent strains are more widespread) merits additional priority in vaccine supplies.
2. Facemasks and safety:
While much frontline healthcare staff are vaccinated, many await the next delivery to get their first vaccination or are awaiting their second dose therefore we have made it very clear to the HSE that safety must be an absolute priority across the health service during this period. One of the key measures we can take to reduce infection risk is upgrade to the FFP2 mask standard as a minimum. The HSE nationally has given workplaces the authority to use these masks in non-COVID-specific areas.
Nursing and Midwifery is a highly regulated and trained profession. If it is your professional judgment that you need an FFP2 mask to do your work safely, make this known to your manager. This request is in line with WHO recommendations. If you face resistance on this point, contact either your local INMO rep or the freephone number
The issue is wider than facemasks, however. We have repeated the importance of all available protections for frontline patient-facing staff being in place now, including:
- Increase spacing between beds from 1 meter to 2 meters (taking on additional private capacity as needed)
- Testing and tracing in healthcare settings, with rolling testing of all staff in acute hospitals
- Review to reduce footfall and improve decontamination in all hospitals.
3. Confidential support
We are aware that this is a high-pressure time for you and it is important to look after your mental health, in addition to protecting yourself from the virus. HSE advises that occupational health and Employee Assistance Programme services are available, but many advise us that the waiting time for appointments is lengthy in some parts of the country. As an INMO member, you can avail of free, confidential telephone counselling as part of your membership. Members and members’ families can call either 1850 670407 or 01 8818047. This is a 24-hour service.