Operations axed as nurses’ strike bites on Day 3

THOUSANDS of patients across the country will be affected by cancellations as the third day of nurses’ strikes gets underway today.

Around 37,000 nurses will not be at work today – resulting in widespread disruption and the cancellation of hospital appointments.

Last night the HSE said that discussions were ongoing with the INMO in relation to securing exemptions to allow major surgeries – including cancer – to go ahead.

‘In the event that any procedures do go ahead, patients will be contacted directly by the hospitals,’ a spokeswoman added.

Today all outpatient, inpatient and day surgery appointments are cancelled and minor injury units are closed.

Public day centres for elderly people or those with disabilities will also be shut and planned admissions to public nursing units and intellectual disability centres are also closed.

‘Hospitals will be in contact with patients to reschedule their appointments and surgeries in due course,’ the spokeswoman added.

‘Updates on the action and services affected will be on our website and social media’.

Ahead of today’s industrial

‘Not one of us want to be on strike’

action the INMO said it remained open to discussion with the Government regarding ‘any realistic proposals’.

‘Nurses and midwives continue to stand in defence of our patients and professions,’ a spokesman said.

‘Not one of us want to be on strike, but the Government has still not responded with proposals to resolve this dispute.

‘Everybody – except the Government – recognises that there is a serious under-staffing problem in our health service.’

Union bosses claim staff shortages, caused by low pay, have deterred staff from working in the public health service leaving hospitals under-resourced.

However, a Public Service Pay Commission report has revealed that the average pay for HSE staff nurses last year was €51,000, including allowances and overtime, and there was no basis for a general pay increase.

A spokeswoman for Health Minister Simon Harris said: ‘The Minister is eager the two parties engage to seek a resolution to this dispute.

‘Significant numbers of patients will be affected again tomorrow. The Minister believes it is imperative this dispute ends.’