04/05/2016

Hundreds Of Nurses And Midwives To Attend INMO Conference

Hundreds of nurses and midwives are expected to attend the annual INMO delegate conference in Co Kerry today, 04 May.

Issues on pay, working hours and staffing levels are expected to top the agenda of the three-day event at the INEC in Killarney.

Around 350 members will call for pay restoration and a 37-hour working week in line with other professional heath service staff.

Debates will also be held on motions such as an immediate national summit with the Department of Health and HSE regarding the crisis in Primary and Social Care sectors, HSE to accept responsibility where care cannot be delivered in a timely manner in unsafe working environments and issues on hospital overcrowding.

INMO President, Claire Mahon, said: "We will be calling on the new government to initiate a national debate on health, which will look beyond the normal five year electoral horizon, to determine how we want our health service to serve us, both now and for the next 25 years.

"We will be calling for a universal healthcare service, funded by progressive taxation, which is efficient, effective and which treats everyone equally, with access being determined by need and not ability to pay.  The recent findings, from the Irish Cancer Society, regarding access to diagnostics once again confirms the current inequalities which can influence life expectancy. This is immoral, wrong and must end.

"Over the next three days, delegates will set the agenda for the next year as they proceed with the continuing challenges which face members on the frontline and demand early restoration of pay, working hours and conditions."

(LM)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

02 November 2018
Time For Govt To Act On Gender Pay Gap
Marking EU Equal Pay Day 2018, Labour has said that it is time for the Government to act on the Gender Pay Gap in Ireland. Last month, the Seanad passed all stages of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap) Information Bill 2017, a Private Members Bill initiated by the Labour group in the Seanad.
20 July 2015
Ibec Slams Proposals By The Low Pay Commission
Ibec has slammed plans by the Low Pay Commission for a 50c increase in the national minimum wage. The group, which represents Irish business, said the case is at odds with all the economic evidence. It also said the increase would heap pressure on companies still struggling to stay in business.
19 May 2015
Health Professionals Face Difficult Working Conditions In Ireland – Study
Concerns have been raised that many doctors, nurses and midwives may not return to Ireland, after a new study revealed they have been leaving in large numbers since 2008. The study also found that difficult working conditions in the Irish health system are the main reason for them leaving.
08 November 2016
17,500 Teachers Take Second Day Of Strike Action In Pay Dispute
Up to 17,500 teachers are due to take part if a second one-day strike as part of an ongoing pay dispute. The industrial action is part of the ASTI campaign calling for Equal Pay for Equal Work. The union is demanding the restoration of the common basic pay scale for all teachers.
25 June 2015
Low Pay Commission 'Next Step' In Fair Pay For Workers - Labour
The Low Pay Commission represents the "next step" in fair pay for workers, Labour's Sean Kenny has said. Commenting on the the National Minimum Wage Act, Deputy Kenny said that the Low Pay Commission demonstrates the governments commitment to tackling low pay. "Low pay is not some abstract economic issue.