Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday an Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation protest at Sligo University Hospital was averted at the last minute because there is to be an emergency meeting of the Workplace Relations Commission and an independent assessment of staffing requirements. We should never have allowed this situation to fester to this point. Today's Trolley Watch figures show a total of 25 patients waiting for a bed at Sligo University Hospital. This is the third-highest number in the country, just behind Limerick and Letterkenny. The north west is coming out on top. This is a pattern; it is not just about today's figures.

There is also a major issue at Sligo over the employment of agency staff. I have received many emails on this matter from individuals at the hospital, who say that as permanent staff, they have to work around the availability of agency staff. Surely it should be the other way around, or there should at least be some parity of esteem. I am asking for immediate action to be taken in respect of those waiting for beds.

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