Unsafe staffing levels, ongoing overcrowding in emergency departments (EDs), overcrowded wards and bullying in the workplace are just some of the issues set to be discussed by nurses and midwives at a major conference over the coming days.

Over 350 nurses and midwives are set to attend the 95th annual delegate conference of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) in Kilkenny, which runs from May 7-9.

According to the INMO, this year's event will be dominated by ‘the realities facing members in the frontline as they strive to maintain safe care with reduced resources despite increasing demand for services'.

"Delegates gather against the background of the Government's flawed recruitment embargo resulting in the loss of a further 850 nursing/midwifery posts in 2013. This further loss in frontline posts means that since 2009, the health system has axed over 5,000 nursing and midwifery posts," the organisation said.

Those attending will be calling for a lifting of the current moratorium on recruitment and the retention of new graduates at the correct salary.

The conference will also hear details of a new ‘Staff Watch' initiaitve, which will monitor staffing levels/skill mix ratios ‘to ensure safe practice and safe standards'. The INMO already operates the well known ‘Trolley Watch' and ‘Ward Watch' initiaitves.

"The situation in the Irish health service is now critical and frequently unsafe. We must therefore intensify our advocacy for our patients and their welfare. We must stand up to those who would cut and dismantle our health service and highlight what we know to be wrong, otherwise patients will continue to suffer," commented INMO president, Claire Mahon.

The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, is due to address the conference on Friday at 12.30pm.