Nurses' strike: 'There has to be a better way', says Harris as 27,000 appointments cancelled

"What struck me were the chants that I heard (from the picket lines) proclaiming the need for safe staffing, while the key staff essential for running the services in the building behind them are outside on the picket line," said Minister Harris.

Latest: Nurses' strike: Some 27,000 patients have had medical appointments cancelled as a result of today's industrial action by nurses.

The HSE says some cancer surgeries have not been carried out, and reduced cover in emergency departments could mean long delays in admitting patients.