The HSE has been urged to take extra measures to protect nurses and midwives amidst the current Covid-19 wave.

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), 353 patients were on trolleys on Friday morning and 7.2% of nurses are currently on Covid-related leave.

“We know that Covid outbreaks are higher in healthcare settings compared to any other setting. Our nursing and midwifery rosters are depleted and it is becoming increasingly difficult to fill rosters,” commented INMO general secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha.

She pointed out that the CEO of the HSE has called on hospitals to curtail all non-emergency care for the next two weeks, but she insisted that this is not enough.

“The HSE must take meaningful, long-lasting action to protect our nursing and midwifery workforce. That includes curtailing non-emergency activity until the end of January at least and making improvements to air quality in our hospitals,” she said.

Ms Ní Sheaghdha noted that air quality in hospitals “continues to be a huge problem”, particularly in overcrowded hospitals.

“We believe that as an employer, the HSE has an obligation to provide proper air filtration units such as HEPA filters across our hospitals, especially in overcrowded emergency departments and waiting areas,” she commented.

She said that the last three weeks have been particularly hard for nurses and midwives as they are working in “extremely difficult circumstances”.

“The HSE as an employer must do everything it can to protect this workforce, who are the most exposed to this virus day in and day out,” she added.