Fresh concern has been raised over nursing vacancies at Letterkenny University Hospital, where ‘at least’ 60 extra nurses are said to be needed to support essential care.
The shortage was highlighted by the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation earlier this month.
However, Saolta has stated this week that there are 23 staff nurse vacancies in within the emergency and surgery directorate at LUH.
The shortfall was discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Regional Health Forum West.
Cllr Gerry McMonagle told the forum that staffing levels are far below par, according to the INMO.
“They are under extreme pressure there, we are haemorrhaging staff regularly,” Cllr McMonagle said.
“My concern is that there are 23 vacancies, but staff representatives are strongly saying there is 60.”
Meanwhile in Dáil Éireann yesterday, extreme concerns were raised about staffing in the hospital’s emergency department.
Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said: “What is happening in our health service is having a profound impact across the country on families and is incredibly cruel on the doctors and nurses carrying this impossible burden because they do not have the necessary supports.”
Ann Cosgrove Chief Operations Officer at Saolta told the Regional Health Forum that recruitment is continuous locally, nationally and internationally.
A total of 88 overseas nurses and midwives took up roles in LUH since the beginning of last year. A further eight nurses will start at LUH in June.
Ms Cosgrove said that the shortage in supply in Irish trained nurses is impacting across the country, due to a lot of people are travelling abroad and going into options in the community.
“You will always have movement because of promotion and opportunities in other areas of the service,” Ms Cosgrove said.
“You also have a significant number of the younger generation taking the opportunity to travel abroad.”
Ms Cosgrove added that innovative approaches, such as videos, are being taken to attract applicants to current vacancies.
