Protests At University Maternity Hospital Limerick

Nurses and midwives at University Maternity Hospital Limerick took to the picket line yesterday in protest over what the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation describes as critically low staffing levels.   The union says frontline posts have been lost, workloads have become unsustainable and patient safety is under increasing pressure.   The HSE, however, says staffing levels comply with agreed standards and that recruitment for additional posts is underway.   Joining Alan Morrissey earlier was Mary Fogarty, Assistant Director of Industrial Relations for the INMO in the Midwest. Photo (c) ADRIAN BUTLER