'Dire' shortage of nurses leads to protest today

Nurses at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda held a protest this afternoon to highlight the high level of nursing vacancies in Ireland.

INMO Industrial Relations officer Tony Fitzpatrick said there is a "dire" shortage of nurses nationally, including 100 vacancies at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

He said that research has shown that reducing the nurse to patient ratio has a negative impact on the quality of patient care.

Mr Fitzpatrick said the INMO has invited Minister for Health Simon Harris to meet with staff and "see what it is like on the frontline".