How hospitals fared

St James's Hospital, Dublin (700 beds):

Only one operating theatre was in use, catering for 10 patients who needed surgery. There are 500 patients currently in the hospital, who are being cared for by about a quarter of usual nursing cover. The accident and emergency department has been quieter than normal with 79 patients attending for treatment in the first 24 hours of the strike. Inquiries: 1800-202934

Beaumont Hospital, Dublin (627 beds):

Dozens of beds have been closed with only 398 patients currently in the hospital. Hospital doctors have been forced to work extra hours and on-call doctors have been drafted in to cover for absent nursing staff. Only two nurses are operating in wards where there were normally eight. In the first 24 hours of the strike, only five people underwent surgery.

Inquiries: 1800-202935

Cork University Hospital (550 beds):

Nursing cover remained at about one-fifth of normal levels. Eight operating theatres and 90 beds were closed. Hospital doctors were reportedly working longer hours than normal but relations with nurses were said to be still good. Inquiries: 1850-742000

University College Hospital, Galway (538 beds):

A surge in admissions led to a number of nurses coming off the pickets to offer support to over-stretched hospital doctors. A total of 150 beds have been closed, adding to 130 at Merlin Park Hospital and 90 at Ballinasloe. Inquiries: (091) 524222

Mater Hospital, Dublin (483 beds):

Only one of ten operating theatres was in use. Six patients underwent surgery in the first 24 hours of the strike and 102 attended the accident and emergency department. Hospital doctors were also reported to be stretched with a total of 382 in-patients at present. Inquiries: (01) 8032034/2036

St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin (472 beds):

Only one operating theatre was in use. Six patients underwent surgery in the first 24 hours of the dispute and 49 attended the accident and emergency department, also lower than normal. There are 330 patients currently in the hospital. Information: (01) 209-4991/269-4533

Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin (464 beds):

Two operating theatres were in use. Nine patients underwent surgery, bringing to 301 the number of in-patients at the hospital. Only 48 patients attended casualty. Doctors said the hospital's contingency plan was working well but warned pressures would increase at the weekend. Inquiries: 1800-202936. Psychiatric services: (01) 6264077

Limerick Regional Hospital (395 beds):

Bed occupancy dropped to 191. Six operating theatres were closed and nursing cover remained at about a quarter of normal. In the Limerick area, only eight out of 43 public health nurses reported for duty. In north Tipperary, only five of 36 turned up. Inquiries: 1800-200300

Waterford Regional Hospital (393 beds):

For the second day, no pickets were placed on the hospital by nurses as the unofficial maintenance workers' strike continued. Nursing cover for in-patients, which number 310, was running at about a quarter of normal levels, compared to about 50 per cent for psychiatric services. Inquiries: 1800-300655

Sligo General Hospital (306 beds):

Normal capacity of beds has been reduced, with only 124 in-patients at present. Four wards have been closed. Over 140 operative procedures and 650 out-patient appointments have been cancelled. The North Western Health Board said the hospital was experiencing "great difficulties". Reduction in number of community nurses from 494 to 154 was also causing concern. Inquiries: (071) 71111

Letterkenny General Hospital (317 beds):

An additional 32-bed unit was closed, bringing to 82 the total number of beds now empty. All 130 non-emergency operations due to go ahead this week and 650 out-patient appointments have been cancelled. Inquiries: (074) 25888 or health board information line 1800 501 701