Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I went ahead with this matter today because of its urgency. I see there has been some progress. I had heard that some nurses came into work while unwell rather than let down their patients and fellow staff but that is not good safe practice, especially considering the immune systems of people who have cancer.

We know that nurses are a very skilled workforce, they have degrees in science, some have Masters degrees and other qualifications, and they have done a great deal of work and study to become registered. They want to deliver the service for which they have been trained and give the best care to their patients. For cancer patients, it is about giving them every chance to recover and live their lives.

I know St. James's Hospital and the pressures on their services well. I know from someone who is currently receiving treatment there that it begins at 8 a.m. and the nurses see dozens of patients daily. The first tranche is at 8 a.m. and the next is at 9.30 a.m. or 10 a.m. Not all of these people are receiving chemotherapy, some are getting injections or hormone infusions and blood. There are 12 beds in the ward, and as soon as the treatment of one patient is finished, the next is called. The nurses and doctors are run off their feet from 7.30 a.m. until late at night. It can be after 8 p.m. before they finish. I am sure that like me, the Minister of State has had family and friends with cancer who have gone through our system, facing the illness. The treatment and the effects that go with it are very difficult but we have good success and recovery rates. Cancer is not the death sentence it once was. However, we need the qualified and the experienced nursing staff to work alongside the newly qualified because the experienced staff can bring their new colleagues along.

We know that the problem is the overall pay and conditions, with the cost of living including housing that has resulted in our very well-trained nurses travelling to other countries. It is those countries which benefit from the education and training provided here and it is the patients who suffer in the meantime.

I have the reply and there are issues which I will have to follow up with the Minister.

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