Nurses To Mount Further Work Stoppage In Pay Campaign

Nurses are due to mount another one-hour work stoppage at selected health facilities nationwide today as part of their ongoing campaign for better pay and conditions. Today’s action will affect hospitals in Dublin, Ennis and Portlaoise and mental health services in Laois, Offaly and Clare between 11am and 12 noon.

St James’s Hospital in Dublin says it has been forced to reschedule a small number of day case procedures as a result of the industrial action. The nurses, however, say such postponements are not necessary because contingency plans are in place to ensure the stoppages do not disrupt patient care.

Meanwhile, there is still no sign of any moves to resolve the dispute between the two sides, with Health Minister Mary Harney admitting that she sees no prospect of progress in the near future.

The INO and PNA are vowing to continue with their industrial action and to escalate their campaign if their demands are not addressed.