Additional healthcare roles approved for University Maternity Hospital Limerick
More than 20 new nursing and healthcare assistant posts have been approved at University Maternity Hospital Limerick and are scheduled to be filled by the end of this year
SIXTEEN nursing and five healthcare assistant posts have been approved for University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL), it has been confirmed.
The posts are set to be filled by the end of November, with nine additional pre-registered nurses currently onboarding at the hospital.
The staffing increase was confirmed at the September meeting of the Mid West Regional Forum, in response to a question forwarded by Social Democrats Councillor Elisa O’Donovan.
These new posts come following a protest staged by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation last June, which highlighted the unsafe midwife and nurse staffing levels at UMHL.
According to a statement released by the IMNO at the time of the protest, many areas of the hospital were “running rosters at 50% below safe levels” with the labour ward experiencing “daily deficits of midwives on duty”.
The new positions, once filled, will increase staffing capacity within the service according to Ian Carter, CEO Mid West Acute and Older People Services.
Ten nursing and midwifery posts as well as five healthcare assistant posts were also approved in April 2026, with an additional six nursing and midwifery posts secured through an agency conversion initiative. “Conversion of trained agency staff ensures continuity of service, secure employment opportunities and retention of trained staff,” noted Mr Carter.
Staff wellbeing was another issue addressed at the September meeting with Mr Carter explaining how a detailed review of absences was completed in July 2026. “This review recommended that UMHL undertake a targeted operational review to identify trends, potential risks and opportunities for intervention and support,” he said.
A monthly HR clinic which provides guidance on workplace stress risk assessments already in place at UMHL will be complemented by a “bespoke absence management workshop” which took place last week.
In his response to Cllr O’Donovan, Mr Carter also noted how “staff have access to a range of wellbeing supports” which are “complemented by wellbeing resources, training programmes and initiatives designed to promote resilience, psychological wellbeing and healthy work-life balance”.
He said: “The HSE remains committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for all staff and will continue to monitor service pressures, workforce challenges and staff wellbeing requirements to ensure the ongoing delivery of safe, sustainable maternity services.”