The INMO has called for an urgent inspection of Sligo University Hospital by the Health and Safety Authority in response to what has been described as increased overcrowding and safety issues.
In a letter to the HSA the union stated that a high level of patient attendance at the hospital, coupled with delays in discharging patients, were leading to health and safety risks to hospital staff.
While noting that the overcrowding problem extends throughout the hospital, the INMO has stated that safety issues are particularly severe in the Emergency Department, with Sligo University Hospital seeing extraordinarily high levels of overcrowding this year, and 5,901 patients having been treated on trolleys since January.
The INMO said that due to the large numbers of patients being treated in corridors on trolleys and chairs, staff were concerned about specific safety issues including the ability to safely evacuate in the event of a fire, higher risk of assaults on staff, a very high risk of infection transmission, and increased risk of injury due to severely reduced space in which to work and move between patients.
The INMO also noted that the increased workload and pressures on staff was leading to stress and increasing risk of trauma and burnout, with staff regularly unable to take appropriate breaks during their shifts due to staffing and workload issues.
In a statement, INMO Industrial Relations Officer for Sligo, Neal Donohue said that these safety issues extend throughout the hospital, but the conditions in the Emergency Department are so concerning they have no choice but to call for an urgent inspection.
