Members of the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) have voted overwhelmingly against a Labour Court recommendation calling on them to move to the new Cork University Maternity Hospital tomorrow.
According to reports, more than 98 per cent of INO members involved in the move rejected the Labour Court recommendation in a ballot this afternoon, increasing the threat to the opening of the new €75 million hospital.
A spokesperson for the INO said it remains available for talks.
The INO and HSE have been in dispute for several months over the number of midwives necessary to staff the new hospital, which replaces the three existing maternity hospitals at St Finbarr's, the Erinville and the Bons Secours.
A meeting last night between HSE management and officials of the INO and Siptu leaves the opening of the new €75 million hospital tomorrow in doubt.
Speaking to ireland.comthis morning, INO Industrial Relations officer Patsy Doyle said the new hospital had only secured 315 midwives instead of the necessary 375.
"Never before in the history of the State has a unit opened with such a deficit of staff," she said.
The INO insists the new maternity hospital will not be viable unless the HSE South delivers 383 trained midwives to cater for an anticipated 8,000 annual deliveries in the area.
The Labour Court ruled earlier this week that the hospital should open with the staff numbers proposed by the HSE. However, it has recommended that the situation be reviewed within three to six months.