Nurses to stage series of hour-long stoppages

Scores of nurses are to stage a series of hour-long stoppages in Dublin and Tipperary today as they step up their campaign for better pay and working conditions.

Services at Dublin’s St Vincent’s Hospital, South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel, and South Tipperary Mental Health Services are expected to be severely disrupted by the lunch-hour cuts.

Although hospital management at St Vincent’s said the industrial action was not affecting planned surgeries, 28 operations have been cancelled in Clonmel. All have been rescheduled.

The work stoppages come as the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) and Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) fight for a 10.5% pay increase and a 35-hour working week, which have been refused by the Health Service Executive.

The move also follows a week-long nationwide work to rule, with nurses and midwives refusing to carry out non-essential duties including answering telephones, working computer systems and attending meetings.

The hospitals said that safe levels of cover will be provided for critical care areas and emergencies today, but those with minor problems are asked to attend their GP where possible.

Cancer, palliative care services and Warfarin clinics will also run as normal.

Despite being warned they face possible delays, out-patients have been told to attend hospital appointments on time and not to contact the hospital in advance.