Senior hospital manager calls on Government to live up to its responsibilities

As nursing strike committees in the west met throughout the weekend, a senior hospital manager called on the Government to live up to its responsibilities.

Ms Mary Courtney, president of the Association of Irish Nurse Managers and director of nursing at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, said no one had the right to refuse to negotiate when so much was at stake.

Ms Courtney is one of a number of directors of nursing who have decided to forgo their own pay, voluntarily, in support of the nurses, given that nurses' salaries are to be stopped if industrial action proceeds tomorrow. In her hospital in Portiuncula, 36 beds have closed and emergency-only services will be available for the duration of the action.

"I support the nurses completely," Ms Courtney told The Irish Times. "While I understand why the Government is taking a stance, no one can say they will not negotiate." It seemed irresponsible that no efforts were being made to reopen dialogue, she said.

Ms Clare Treacy, an INO representative, said rosters for emergency cover in all Western Health Board (WHB) facilities had been drawn up and were sufficient to ensure patients' safety.

Relations between strike committee and management on a local level had been cordial, she said, but there were some outstanding matters, such as the provision of mobile phones in larger facilities to the group of nurses rostered for emergency cover.

In some smaller facilities, staff on annual leave had not been replaced. In one establishment, the telephonist was due to take leave and no cover had been provided. "Normally, nurses would fill in these situations, but they won't be able to now. No provision has been made by management for this." She declined to name the establishment involved.

Mr Michael Kilcoyne, of SIPTU, said nurses were standing firm in the west. Non-nursing staff may also refuse to pass pickets, he said. He expressed disappointment that there had been few protests outside TDs' clinics in the west over the past few days about the Government's stance.

Outpatient clinics in the Galway regional hospitals, University College Hospital and Merlin Park, will take place today but not thereafter. Galvia private hospital in Galway is not affected by the action, as it is understood that management has reached its own agreement with nursing staff.

During the last week planned admissions for surgery did proceed where possible, the WHB's director of public health, Dr Mary Hynes, said in a statement. Only admissions where the planned length of stay meant that the patient would be still in hospital as the strike began were cancelled. Affected patients are being contacted by letter and phone.

Discussions were taking place with nursing unions to plan the level of cover during the strike. "Patient safety and welfare will be a priority at all times, "she said.

Institutions caring for the elderly and people with disabilities will be affected, and the burden will fall on relatives. In an appeal to the public, Dr Hynes said the board would welcome support from relatives and friends, where they were in a position to spend some time with patients.

"It would also be helpful if relatives, friends and neighbours kept a special eye on those in the community who are vulnerable, for example, old people living alone."

Nurses would not be in a position to answer phones and give information about patients, she said. "We recognise that this is an anxious time for patients and their families. While we will make every effort to respond to requests for information, there may be some delays. We ask families to help us by sharing information among themselves and keeping to a minimum the number of phone calls to wards."

The WHB has established telephone numbers which the public can use. For community services which will be cancelled, the numbers to ring between 9.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. are: Galway (091) 523122; Mayo (094) 22333; Roscommon (0903) 27990.

For hospitals, the 24-hour information numbers are: Merlin Park Regional, Galway (091) 775775; University College Hospital, Galway (091) 524222; St Bridget's Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co Galway (0905) 42117; Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, Co Mayo (094) 21733; St Mary's Hospital, Castlebar (094) 21333; and Roscommon County Hospital (0903) 26200.