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File image of University Hospital Limerick. Alamy Stock Photo

Industrial action by ICU nurses in University Hospital Limerick suspended

It follows the agreement of a proposal between the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and UHL.

INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN University Hospital Limerick’s Intensive Care Unit has been suspended.

It follows the agreement of a proposal between the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and UHL.

The industrial action has been suspended to allow a ballot on the agreement to take place.

Last week, nurses in the hospital’s ICU began work-to-rule industrial action, which means they only performed duties to the letter of their contract, without taking on additional work.

The INMO said this was an unprecedented step for nurses to take, and that they did so due to deep concerns about “the potential deviation away from one nurse to one patient care in the ICU”. 

The INMO stated last week that staffing in the ICU of the Limerick hospital is operating at a 22% deficit, which means that nearly a quarter of the required nurses are not available on the roster.

Despite this, all of the ICU beds on the ward remain open.

Speaking today, INMO assistant director of relations Mary Fogarty said: “The work-to-rule in the Intensive Care Unit in University Hospital Limerick has been suspended to allow a ballot to take place on an agreement reached between the INMO and hospital management through the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission.

“The agreement reached is a temporary one to address the staffing shortfalls that are impacting both patient and staff safety in the ICU.”

Measures in the agreement include a commitment to ensure that at least 16 nurses will be rostered in for both day and night duty for the 12-bed ward.

Fogarty added: “Nurses who work in the ICU will be facilitated to take their annual leave and assurances have been made that additional ICU nurses will be on site in June and July to bolster the current staffing complement.

“Safe staffing in the ICU is of utmost importance to our members who have been under intolerable pressure while trying to provide excellent care to very sick patients.”

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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Jul 3rd 2025, 5:09 PM

    A excellent piece: nicely done, Gavin.

    Diogo Jota was an intelligent, humble and hard-working young man. The news today was shocking and hard to take in. May he and Andre rest in peace.

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    Mute Mary Linton
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    Jul 3rd 2025, 5:17 PM

    YNWA

    R.I.P Dioga & Andre

    A beautifully worded eulogy—- ‘ try not to make sense of this tragedy— there simply is NO SENSE In today’s tragedy’

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    Mute Dan The Man
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    Jul 3rd 2025, 5:40 PM

    Retire the number 20

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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    Jul 3rd 2025, 5:54 PM

    @Dan The Man: I’ll ” second” that !!!

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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    Jul 3rd 2025, 5:24 PM

    So terribly sad. May they RIP.
    A father of three. Heartbreaking.

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    Jul 3rd 2025, 8:28 PM

    Great article, and a sobering reminder of the precariousness and fragility of life. It’s heartbreaking for everyone concerned, for Diogo’s family, his wife and the 3 kids who must now grow up without their Dad, but also the one he grew up in who’s parents have lost both their sons at once. Life can be unbelievably cruel at times. Hopefully they can all look back on their good memories and find some solace in them in time. RIP Diogo and Andre.

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    Mute Dave Connolly
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    Jul 3rd 2025, 5:48 PM

    RIP YNWA

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    Mute Dominic Leleu
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    Jul 3rd 2025, 6:40 PM

    Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre are understood to have been driving in an acid green £180,000 Lamborghini Huracan when they crashed

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    Mute Stephen Heffernan
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    Jul 3rd 2025, 8:14 PM

    @Dominic Leleu: And?

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    Mute John Lillis
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    Jul 3rd 2025, 8:18 PM

    @Dominic Leleu: So what? Is this relevant?

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    Mute Joe Beirne
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    Jul 3rd 2025, 8:34 PM

    @Dominic Leleu: What value does this comment add, the value of the car they were in doesn’t lessen the fact that three children are without a father and an uncle and his newly married wife is now a widow and his parents have lost all their children in one senseless accident. Have a look in the mirror and have a long think.

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    Mute Dominic Leleu
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    Jul 3rd 2025, 10:00 PM

    @Joe Beirne: I doubt the accident happened at low speed. and no it does not. still …

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    Mute Billy Joe
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    Jul 4th 2025, 12:52 AM

    @Dominic Leleu: What’s your point?

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