Nurses’ strike: Affected services at Tallaght University Hospital
By Mary Dennehy
THE nurses’ strike is set to go ahead tomorrow, with more than 35,000 nurses staging 24-hour work stoppages over calls for improved pay and work conditions.
Locally, many people have been showing their support for the nurses' strike, with Tallaght councillors this week voting in favour of a motion, tabled by Solidarity, which recognises the “centrality” of nurses and midwives to the health service.
Tallaght University Hospital
This afternoon, the INMO (Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation) confirmed that the Labour Court has indicated that 'it will not intervene at this time' in the strike, which begins at 8am tomorrow.
According to INMO Director of Industrial Relations, Tony Fitzpatrick: "We are deeply disappointed that the government still has no serious proposal to resolve this dispute.
“No nurse or midwife wants to go on strike, but we have been forced into this position by a government that just isn’t listening.”
This will be the second time in the INMO’s 100-year history that its members will go on a national strike.
What local hospital services will work stoppages affect?
Tallaght University Hospital:
In a statement to The Echo today, Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) confirmed that they will be providing emergency services only.
The current services and appointments for Wednesday, January 30, have been postponed:
All outpatient clinics (Adult & Children’s Services)
Elective surgery
Day case procedures
GP Appointment bloods
Outpatient phlebotomy bloods
There are some exemptions for TUH, with patient appointments in the following areas going ahead:
TUH’s dialysis patients
Patients who have treatment scheduled on the Oncology Day Unit and Haematology Day Ward
Colposcopy Services
According to Tallaght University Hospital: “TUH will endeavour to keep all our patients informed in a timely manner however, we rely on national negotiations for updates and can only plan based on the updates we receive.
Tallaght University Hospital
“The hospital fully recognises this is upsetting and disruptive for patients and apologises for the inconvenience caused to them and their families.
“All patients that have had appointments / procedures rescheduled will be prioritised and rescheduled for admission in the coming weeks.
“The level of disruption resultant from this industrial action underlines the significant role nursing professions play in our hospital.”
A picket is being held outside Tallaght University Hospital from 8am to 4pm on Wednesday.
Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin – the emergency department at Our Lady’s in Crumlin will be open tomorrow.
For further details and updates visit http://www.tuh.ie/ and Tallaght University Hospital Facebook page.
For details on Crumlin hospital visit http://olchc.ie/About-Us/Corporate/INMO-Industrial-Action/.
