Nurses win battle over ‘low-paid sham’

Hospital budget plans have been thrown into turmoil before they are even finalised after nurses won a major battle against a “low-paid sham” “yellow-pack” graduate scheme.

In a highly embarrassing move, the HSE yesterday admitted its controversial plan to employ new graduates on significantly reduced salaries is in real jeopardy as nurses are boycotting the policy.

The scheme, instigated by Health Minister Dr James Reilly, was expected to fill up to 1,000 positions in the understaffed system.