The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called for the cancellation of all elective (planned) hospital admissions in January in order to ease the current chronic overcrowding in emergency departments.

The nurses' union has pointed out that hospitals are now suffering from the worst level of ED overcrowding, coupled with the highest number of delayed patient discharges, in over ten years.

The INO made the call at the first meeting of the Emergency Department Taskforce, established by the Health Minister Leo Varadkar.

The INMO said at a meeting of the taskforce yesterday, which was attended by all health service unions and senior management from all areas of the HSE, a range of issues were discussed including:

* The need for additional bed capacity.

* The recruitment, through special initiatives, of additional frontline staff.

* The need for changed work practices in EDs, including the appointment of a significant number of advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs).

* Extended attendance patterns for senior clinical decision makers and

* Improved procedures on the planning of discharges.

In calling for the cancellation of all planned elective admissions,in January, the INMO said this was necessary in the interest of maintaining safe patient care, manageable workloads for staff and in recognition of the limited bed capacity which exists at this time.

INMO General Secretary Liam Doran said the union was  currently balloting members, in five hospitals, seeking a mandate, if necessary, for industrial action to protect their health and safety due to their current workloads and working environment.

"This action will begin, in January, if immediate measures are not taken to alleviate the current pressures. It is inevitable that our members, in other hospitals, will also begin balloting due to the environment that currently exists."

Mr Doran said the INMO welcomed the establishment of the taskforce, which was a recognition by the Minister of the crisis that now faces emergency departments and, by extension, the whole health service.