'Normal cleaning will not be in place' if health support staff strike goes ahead

A 24-hour stoppage looks set to go ahead after talks between SIPTU, the HSE and Department of Public Expenditure at the Workplace Relations Commission yesterday failed to reach an agreement.

Update 8.30am: An emergency medicine consultant has warned that while there is not a “significant risk of immediate death” because of the strike on Wednesday, there will be serious implications for the running of the health service.

Dr Fergal Hickey told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that there will be delays and inconvenience for patients and staff during the planned strike by healthcare support staff following the breakdown of talks at the Workplace Relations Commission on Monday.