The government hope to hire 14 new nurses for Sligo Univeristy Hospital’s Emergency Department in the next two months.
Staff concerns about overcrowding and working conditions in the hospital were raised by Sligo/Leitrim Sinn Fein TD, Martin Kenny in the Dail yesterday evening with Minister of State, Frank Feighan.
Deputy Kenny read letters from nurses who say they have witnessed some people being forced to wait upto 48 hours for a bed.
Another Letter stated nurses were ‘lucky to get a 30 minute break during a 13 hour shift.’
Deputy Kenny says the staffing issues need to be addressed as soon as possible.
Minister and Sligo/Leitrim TD Frank Feighan acknowledged the hardships staff and patients have had to endure for quite some time.
He said staffing and recruitment plans are underway to hire additional staff and that the new modular unit will also bring much needed extra space and facilities.
He also highlighted a number of HSE figures related to patient waiting times and trolley figures in Sligo University Hospital.
