Nurses Say They’ll Continue To Strike Until Their Voices Are Heard

The UL Hospitals group says the Emergency Department at Dooradoyle is very busy today.

They’re urging patients to avoid the ED, unless it is an emergency situation, as nurses continue to take part in their strike action today.

Thousands of nurses are on picket lines outside hospitals and health facilities today, but the government insists there can’t be any change to their pay.

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Clare FM’s Fiona McGarry reports:

Since 8 o’clock this morning, over 30,000 nurses and midwives have been braced the wintry conditions to show their anger over ongoing issues surrounding pay and staffing shortages, issues which they say are impacting the recruitment and retention of staff.

A further five days of industrial action are planned over the coming fortnight, and nurses say they’re willing to strike for as long it takes for their message to be heard.

Thousands of hospital appointments have been cancelled and the Local Injury Units at Ennis and elsewhere have been closed.

The UL Hospitals Group has reassured that contingency plans are in place, but is urging patients to consider all of their options before presenting to the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick.

These nurses have been protesting outside Ennis General Hospital – they hope the matter is resolved soon.

But the Health Minister has warned that there’s no way to give nurses a pay rise without consequences.

Minister Simon Harris has again insisted that there can’t be any changes to currents to current pay agreements but says there are some things they can offer.

Clare’s Independent TD believes today is a sad day for the Health Service, which he claims is spiralling out of control.

Dr Michael Harty has expressed disappointment that nurses have had to take part in the action, and is concerned about the impact on patients.