Nurses and midwives who are subject to fitness-to-practise hearings are suffering stress, anxiety, and in extreme cases suicidal ideation and are in need of support, a union has warned.

Irate nurses have threatened to walk off wards and head “straight to the gate” if the Government imposes further pay cuts.

THE head of the Health Service Executive (HSE) has admitted the ban on staff recruitment is creating difficulties across the health service.