HSE and nurses set for crunch talks

Crunch talks are set to be held between senior HSE management and national nurse representatives today over the impact hundreds of imminent retirements will have on maternity services.

It is understood the meeting, which will take place in Dublin at 1pm, will outline the number of midwives to be lost from the system on Feb 29 and how budget cuts will impact on care.

In particular, it will inform unions of the new circumstances set to be imposed due to the surge in retirements among senior midwives and public health nurses. The planned budget cuts to be specifically outlined in local service plans will also be discussed.