Labour Court recommends review of Cork University Hospital nursing workloads

The Labour Court recommended that Cork University Hospital - HSE South and the Irish Nurses' and Midwives' Organisation examine nursing staffing levels and workloads together, within existing resources. Its recommendation was signed on 22 December 2011. The union sought a comprehensive staffing review and an undertaking that its findings would be implemented, saying low nurse-to-patient ratios threatened safe care. The hospital said budget limits, approved staffing ceilings and the public-sector recruitment moratorium left no capacity to increase staffing, and maintained that current levels provided a safe, quality service. The Court did not recommend the union’s claim for a review at that point, citing public-sector restrictions. It instead recommended collaborative examination of staffing and work practices, building on a 2009 pilot and review group, to support patient care while protecting service quality.