Advertisement

Situation in hospitals 'extremely dangerous' due to COVID-19 and overcrowding - INMO

General Secretary of the INMO, Phil Ni Sheaghdha, says the situation in hospitals is precarious.
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

15.01 21 Oct 2021


Share this article


Situation in hospitals 'extrem...

Situation in hospitals 'extremely dangerous' due to COVID-19 and overcrowding - INMO

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

15.01 21 Oct 2021


Share this article


The situation in hospitals at present is "extremely, extremely dangerous" due to overcrowding and rising COVID-19 rates, according to the INMO.

448 people are in hospital with COVID-19, with 88 of those in intensive care.

The head of the HSE is warning those numbers are likely to increase, but says it can be turned around with heightened individual and collective awareness

Advertisement

General Secretary of the INMO, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, told The Pat Kenny Show the situation is precarious.

She suggested the typical winter increase in hospital admissions is happening earlier than ever.

She said: "Our members are telling us, working in hospitals particularly, that the hospitals are very overcrowded.

"Combining that with an airborne infection, we're warning this is extremely, extremely dangerous.

"The staff themselves then, of course, are extremely tired. They're working now in this environment for a very long time.

"In reality, you have a COVID service and a non-COVID service - but you have one workforce."

Ms Ní Sheaghdha said they're already seeing the COVID-19 infection rate among healthcare workers rising over the past month.

She said they've now looking for an "immediate answer" on the prospect of booster shots for healthcare workers, given most would have gotten their first doses early in the year.

The INMO head also warned that many hospitals do not have suitable ventilation to help prevent infections such as COVID.

Main image: File photo of Phil Ní Sheaghdha. Photo: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Share this article


Read more about

Covid-19 Hospitals Phil Ní Sheaghdha

Most Popular