The resignation of senior members of the Sláintecare programme is causing “huge concern” among nurses and midwives, who are already dealing with serious overcrowding in hospitals.

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), 464 patients were left waiting on trolleys and chairs on September 13, the highest number since the Covid pandemic began 18 months ago.

According to INMO president and Beaumont Hospital nurse, Karen McGowan, the health service “is rapidly returning to the bad old days of overcrowding”.

“Trolley figures are being permitted to grow and grow. Many of my colleagues across the country are feeling utterly unsupported in their workplace, with no sense that much-needed health service reforms are supported by government.

“The government needs to seriously recommit to Sláintecare. We cannot lose the momentum for health service reform,” she commented.

This was echoed by INMO general secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, who insisted that the government “needs to show that it means business on Sláintecare”.

“These resignations are a huge concern. It’s time for direct intervention from the Taoiseach. We also need to see the Oireachtas Health Committee urgently reconvene when the Dáil returns,” she insisted.

Ms Ní Sheaghdha said that Sláintecare is a “good plan”, which was greed by all parties. However, these high-level resignations “indicate that government is not prioritising reform”.

“After everything we have gone through with Covid, Ireland’s healthcare team and patients deserve commitment to real change,” she added.

The INMO was responding to the recent resignations of Prof Tom Keane (chairperson of Sláintecare), Laura Magahy (executive director of Sláintecare) and Prof Geraldine McCarthy (chairperson of the South/Southwest Hospital Group).