HSE warns of patient disruption in stoppages

AS NURSES announced the 52 hospitals and mental health services to be hit by work stoppages next week, the HSE warned of cancellations in elective surgery and disruptions in in-patient services as the authority concentrated on providing emergency and critical care.

The HSE said the dispute was costing the health services a minimum of €1.5 million per week and that the money would have to come from budgets for patient services.

HSE chief executive Prof Brendan Drumm also warned that nurses’ salaries may be cut.