Majority of nurses and midwives concerned about patient safety in their workplaces

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has published the results of its 2024 Work and Wellbeing Survey, and its findings show that the vast majority of nurses and midwives are concerned about the ways staff shortages are affecting patient safety. Some 76 per cent of respondents reported issues with staffing levels and skill mix, and 92 per cent of those expressing concern believed that patient safety was at risk. The data also indicates that significant numbers have considered quitting their workplace due to high levels of stress. More than half of respondents said they have felt under pressure from their workplace to work additional hours/shifts, and 15 per cent reported that they worked more than 20 additional unpaid hours per month.

As in previous years, the INMO survey aimed to get a snapshot of the proportion of nurses and midwives who intend to leave their professions, or their workplaces. In response to this, 63 per cent of respondents stated that they had considered leaving their workplace over the last month, and of those, 44.54 per cent said this was mainly due to workplace stress.

“These results very clearly show that nurses and midwives are struggling in today’s health service,” said INMO President Karen McGowan.

Members were also surveyed on issues such as health and wellbeing, and their experiences of long Covid. Responses revealed that more than one-in-five had attended their GP due to work-related stress, and one-in-eight reported they had or previously had long Covid. Over half felt their work was emotionally exhausting to a high or very high degree.

Ms McGowan added: “More than four years on from the start of the Covid pandemic, INMO members are still dealing with the effects in their workplaces, in their practice, and on their own health. Meanwhile the Government has failed to make progress on hospital overcrowding, and conditions for staff and patients in many places has gotten far worse than we could have imagined.

“Not only is this situation not sustainable, but it is painfully clear from these survey results that the Irish health service and its staff are not in a position to endure another crisis. These services and the people working in them are hanging by a thread, and it’s frightening to think what would happen if they had to withstand another serious shock.”