Nurses begin industrial action at Kildare hospital used by Laois people

Nurses at the Kildare hospital, which is used by Laois stroke patients, have embarked on industrial action over what they claim is an "unsafe staffing" deficit.

Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) members commenced their action with a work-to-rule on Monday, February 9. Members will also hold a lunchtime protest at the facility, which is in the same Health Service Executive (HSE) grouping as the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise. 

The INMO said the action in response to "unacceptable and unsafe staffing deficits". The trade union also asserted that industrial action could escalate if the employer does not act to resolve staffing issues. 

The INMO said it has tried to engage management on staffing without success.

"No substantive action has been taken to increase staffing in line with agreed safe staffing frameworks," it said. 

The union has also cited an alleged failure to fill maternity-leave vacancies, as well as an alleged failure to increase staffing to meet an over 25 % increase in Emergency Department attendance at the hospital over the past three years, as reasons for industrial action. 

The INMO's assistant director of industrial relations, Bernadette Stenson, elaborated: "INMO members are dealing with immense pressure, unsafe conditions and continuous redeployment to different clinical areas in order to fill the most dangerous staffing gaps. 

"The hospital’s ability to meet demand has become entirely dependent on our members stretching themselves to breaking point; they now have no choice but to highlight existing shortfalls by beginning a work-to-rule action.

"Nurses in Naas [General Hospital] do not want to take this action, but they see no alternative if there is to be meaningful change in the hospital and significant measures taken to ensure their safety and the safety of their patients," she said.

Furthermore, the General Secretary of the INMO, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, has hit out at the HSE over the situation.

Ms Ní Sheaghdha said: "In the HSE’s own Service Plan for the year ahead, they celebrate the fact that they have made cost savings through 'employment controls', yet the impacts of this are seen in Naas General Hospital, where short staffing is a huge problem and highly-skilled theatre nurses are owed hundreds of hours of time back.

She also claimed: "This type of employment pattern is being replicated in hospital sites across the country."

Ms Ní Sheaghdha concluded by urging the HSE to "meaningfully engage and ensure funded posts are being filled".

The HSE Dublin and Midlands issued a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"It is with regret that the HSE confirms that industrial action by the INMO is now underway at Naas General Hospital, following the issuing of notice despite ongoing engagement and efforts to resolve the issues raised.

"While discussions between the parties to date have not resulted in agreement, the HSE remains willing and available to engage constructively with the INMO at any time in order to reach a sustainable resolution.

"Naas General Hospital has put a range of measures in place to manage services and minimise disruption during the period of industrial action.

"However, patients and the public should be aware that there may be some delays to patient flow through the hospital as a result. Every effort is being made to prioritise patient safety and maintain essential services."

"It is important to note that there has been significant growth in the hospital workforce in recent years; total staff numbers increased from 796 Whole-time equivalent (WTE) in December 2021 to 1,008 WTE in November 2025 — an increase of 212 WTE, or 27 per cent, over four years.

"Approved nursing staff numbers have grown from 358 WTE in December 2022 to 433 WTE in December 2025, representing an increase of 75 WTE, or 21 per cent.

"Additional nursing staff posts have recently been approved for Safer Staffing posts (16 WTE) and there are further plans to progress longer-term measures to support and strengthen nursing capacity and enhance the overall service delivery model.

"The HSE fully recognises and sincerely appreciates the continued professionalism, flexibility and commitment shown by staff at Naas General Hospital," they concluded.