Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Government must explain to the public what it is doing to address the dangerous staff shortages in our health service. The situation has gone beyond crisis point when midwives in Tipperary University Hospital have issued a warning that staff shortages are causing risks to the safety of women and their babies. INMO members working in the maternity department have formally written to the management at the hospital stating they cannot be held accountable or responsible for any adverse event that might occur. We have reached an alarming situation where nurses in the hospital are in fear of being blamed for unfortunate outcomes caused directly by gross understaffing. The greatest asset of any organisation is its people. The provision of healthcare simply cannot function safely without sufficient staff. The serious staffing problems at Tipperary University Hospital's maternity unit need to be addressed urgently.

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