Calls made for more primary care nurses locally

Monaghan County Councillor Colm Carthy has said south Monaghan is working with two less primary care nurses than usual.

He said he spoke with a local nurse recently who told him there is currently three nurses doing the work of five in the area.

While one nurse has been promoted to a management role within the HSE, another is on long-term sick leave.

Mr Carthy said this was a "situation which cannot be allowed to continue" and called on the HSE to begin recruitment to make up the shortfall.

He said in south Monaghan, where the population is ever-increasing, vulnerable people including the elderly and new mums are being advised and triaged over the phone.