Opening of 31-bed Cork University Hospital unit to proceed after row

A row between nurses and management which had threatened to scupper the planned opening of a 31-bed unit at Cork University Hospital on Monday has been resolved sufficiently to allow the opening to go ahead.

Michael Dineen of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation confirmed last night that some concerns remained over the use of outsourcing. However, he he said that issue is to be raised further at national level.

Following a meeting of the sides at the Workplace Relations Commission last Monday and a further round of talks yesterday, the concerns of the union in relation to governance and supervision were addressed to allow the opening to go ahead.