Labour Court urges HSE to fund full Wexford A&E staffing levels

The Labour Court urged the Health Service Executive to fund the full staffing levels recommended for Wexford General Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department. Its recommendation was signed on 30 September 2008. An independent review recommended 6.7 nursing, 7.4 healthcare assistant and 1.2 clerical officer whole-time equivalents. The Irish Nurses Orgainisation said an agreed phased implementation had not been completed and staff were working in an unsatisfactory environment. The HSE said it had implemented the first phase, including increased nursing staffing and a new admissions/discharge lounge, but could not complete the remaining work without funding. The Court accepted that partial implementation meant the department was not receiving the full benefits of the review and urged the HSE to provide appropriate funding for the recommended staffing levels.