The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s Annual Delegate Conference gets underway this morning in Kerry with the focus set to be on staffing and bed shortages in hospitals
Latest figures from the INMO reveal just over 10 thousand patients, including 297 children, were admitted to hospital without a bed last month.
Yesterday 704 patients were waiting on beds nationally, with 87 of those in Cork - 68 in Cork University Hospital, 16 at the Mercy University Hospital and 3 in Bantry General.
General Secretary of the INMO Phil Ni Sheaghdha says the staffing crisis in hospitals needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
"I think the main issue for our delegates will be their staffing, and the supports they have in their workplaces, or as the case has it insufficient supports.
"Without additional staff you're not going to be able to open more beds, so it all boils down to the same issue.
"You must have additional beds, we have to increase capacity, and to do that we have to get more staff."
