Hospital chaos looms as INMO and Fórsa vote in favour of Christmas strike

Overall, a total of 535 patients were waiting on a bed — including 97 at University Hospital Limerick and 56 at Cork University Hospital — according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

Separate HSE data showed 71 patients waiting over 24 hours, including 11 people aged over 75. The industrial dispute centres on how a recruitment freeze was ended in the HSE last year.

Unions are arguing that jobs unfilled during the freeze were removed from the system. Now, the INMO and Fórsa have voted — over 90% in each case — in favour of industrial action and will engage over the next two week to plan this.

INMO president Caroline Gourley said: “All autonomy has been stripped from directors of nursing and midwifery to recruit additional nurses and midwives, yet they are the ones who are expected to ensure a safe service.”

Fórsa pointed to staffing gaps in services to older people, community and mental health services, as well as hospitals. Health and welfare division head Ashley Connolly said: “[Our members] cannot operate indefinitely in circumstances where demand outstrips capacity. The HSE and the Department of Health need to wake up to that challenge.”

A HSE spokesman said: “The HSE engages with all trade unions to resolve issues, and will continue to do so, utilising the industrial relations mechanisms of the state, should it be required.”