Bid to avert strike action by nurses at CUH

Oncology and radiotherapy nurses are to take industrial action tomorrow morning at Cork University Hospital (CUH) over a dispute in relation to what they say are unsafe staffing levels.

A meeting between CUH and members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is due to take place today in an effort to prevent the strike.

“We hope strike action can be averted but only once there is a concrete proposal on the table,” said INMO industrial relations officer Mary Rose Carroll.

INMO members say they have been meeting with the hospital’s management on a continuing basis since December 2015 to discuss concerns regarding patient safety, which have not been adequately addressed.

“The staffing deficits on the ward are further compounded by the opening of additional beds,” said Ms Carroll.

INMO members will withdraw from clerical and support duties from 8am tomorrow in order to prioritise nursing care, unless a concrete proposal can be offered by during the talks today.

“At the end of the day, nurses are being asked to do more and more, with less and less. They have been left with no other option but to take this course of action,” said Ms Carroll.

CUH, meanwhile, said it was “unable to comment at present as discussions are ongoing with the INMO”.