Union says move is in response to low and unsafe staffing levels, with the hospital having a shortfall of 30 nursesThe Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has begun a ballot of its members in Mayo University Hospital this week in response to what it describes as dangerous staffing shortfalls in the hospital. In a recent visit to the hospital, INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said the site was short 30 nursing staff due to delays in the approval of new recruits. The ballot for industrial action is open to members in Emergency Department A, Emergency Department B, the Medical Assessment Unit, and the Escalation Team, representing the wider unscheduled care directorate of the hospital. “Unfortunately the staffing proposals made by management did not meet the minimum level required to maintain the safety of staff and patients in the emergency department. “Nurses in the hospital are calling for additional funded positions to bring staffing to a minimally safe level in the department and address what they consider is an unacceptable level of risk to their patients.”HSE West and North West has been contacted for comment.