Confidence in management 'severely dented' as work-to-rule by nurses continues at Limerick hospital

MEMBERS of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) in Limerick's St Johns’ Hospital are set to continue their industrial action in the form of a work-to-rule for the "foreseeable future".

Commenting on this decision, INMO assistant director of industrial relations, Mary Fogarty said: "INMO members in St John's Hospital began industrial action in the form of a work-to-rule on November 23 due to ongoing nursing vacancies at the hospital, causing unsafe nurse to patient staffing levels.

"This has led to mismanagement of available bed capacity, including a refusal by management to protect twelve surgical beds. 

"Local engagement on December 1 concluded in a written agreement to enable the industrial action to end but this was immediately breached by management. This action has severely dented trust and confidence in management. 

Ms Fogarty continued: "Further talks lasting 8 hours at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on Wednesday, December 13 also failed to reach an agreement with the work-to-rule set to continue for the foreseeable future.

"Nurses at St John's Hospital are advocating for safe staffing levels and proper management of the available 89 in-patient bed capacity." It is disappointing that this is the length nurses at the hospital have to take to highlight their concerns for the safety of patients and their own mental and physical wellbeing," she added.

Continuing her statement, Ms Fogarty stated: "Our members in St John's have to cope with excessive workloads, but they are determined to have their concerns heard and to continue to advocate on behalf of their patients. 

"Management at the hospital have also clearly shown that they are not taking the concerns seriously by breaching the agreement reach on December 1 and their inability to engage in a solutions focused manner at the WRC."