Nurse Stoppages On Tuesday And Wednesday

Nurses have announced details of further work stoppages for Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Hospitals and mental health services in Sligo, Louth, Cork, Dublin, Laois, Offaly and Clare are being targeted.

On Tuesday, Sligo General, Louth County and Bantry General hospitals will be hit along with mental health services in Sligo, Leitrim, Louth and West Cork. On Wednesday, the action will move to St James’ and St Patrick’s hospitals in Dublin, Portlaoise General and Ennis General hospitals.

Mental health services in Laois, Offaly and Clare will also be affected. Each stoppage will happen between 11am and midday. During these stoppages nurses will leave their posts and hold pickets outside hospitals.

Unions say contingency measures are in place to ensure essential treatment is given to patients. The HSE has branded the move as unnecessary and has said patients will be the big losers.

It is nearly a fortnight since nurses first began their campaign for a 35-hour working week and a 10.6% pay rise. Meanwhile, the Irish Nurses Organisation has said the move by other health service workers to seek a 35-hour week is unhelpful.

Workers in Siptu, the TEEU and the ATGWU are looking to meet the HSE on the issue.