NURSES PLAN PROTEST AT PORTIUNCULA HOSPITAL IN ONGOING DISPUTE

Date Published: 17-Feb-2009

Nurses are planning to protest at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe tomorrow [Wed 18/2] in an ongoing dispute concerning 5 nurses at the hospital.

According to the Irish Nurses Organisation, in September 2008, 5 senior nurse managers raised concerns about health and safety and conditions of employment at the hospital.

This resulted in the the HSE organising an assessment with a consultant, which the nurses refused to participate in.

The 5 nurses were suspended but are now on full sick leave.

The INO insists that the 5 nurse managers should be returned to their normal posts without any pre-conditions by management.

Nurses are planning a lunchtime protest at Portiuncula Hospital from 1 to 2pm tomorrow in support of the 5 nurse managers.

The HSE says that any industrial action by nurses at Portiuncula Hospital will put jobs at risk and services will be curtailed.