Martin urged to intervene in hospital strike

Fine Gael has urged Health Minister Micheal Martin to immediately intervene to halt a work-to-rule dispute between the Irish Nurses Organisation and management at St Joseph’s Hospital in Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

Nurses at the hospital began their industrial action today in protest at overcrowding.

Health and safety officials have already said the situation where hospital trolleys are left in corridors must stop immediately.

Fine Gael has said Mr Martin must provide extra accommodation in the hospital as a matter of urgency.