The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation have welcomed the publication of a Winter plan for Irish hospitals but say extra staff need to be hired as a matter of urgency.
The €170 million plan from the HSE includes the hiring of an extra 51 Emergency Medicine consultants and other staff and increased ambulance services.
Funding has also been set aside to open more hospital beds, while over 540 private beds have been allocated for community care.
Fears have been expressed that a potential Covid and flu surge could overwhelm Emergency Departments this winter.
Speaking to RedFM News, Colm Porter from the INMO in Cork says the publication of the Winter Plan earlier this week is a step in the right direction.
