Charity criticises nurse shortage

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7125768.stm

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The shortage of nurses working in Northern Ireland's special care baby units has been criticised by a charity for premature babies.

Bliss has said units are being "stretched to breaking point" because there is a lack of nursing staff.

According to the charity, no neo-natal unit in Northern Ireland complies with minimum nursing levels.

However, the department of health has said nursing provision is in line with the rest of the UK.

"The health service in Northern Ireland is currently taking action to improve the future provision of neonatal services," a statement from the department said.

Bliss published the new figures after receiving Freedom of Information request responses from six of the seven units in Northern Ireland.

They claim that special care baby units are struggling with increasing demand and that the service needs an extra 100 neo-natal nurses.

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People said: the report's finding were disturbing.

"Whilst we admire and respect the dedication of all who work in Special Care Baby Units, it is obvious they are working within stretched resources."