The HSE has accused nurses of a “gross dereliction” of their professional duties after a decision by staff at Sligo General Hospital to stage a second strike next week.
Just eight nurses were on duty at the hospital yesterday after a decision to strike to highlight what they say are unsafe staffing levels.
In a statement, the HSE said it had been advised that a 12 ½ hour strike by nurses will take place next Wednesday.
It said this was “a gross dereliction of the professional duties of nurses to their patients. “The HSE is satisfied that the current nursing staffing levels in [the hospital] are sufficient to meet the requirements of patients needs.”
It asked that the Irish Nurses’ Organisation provide emergency cover in accordance with industrial relations agreements.
“The failure of the nursing unions to adhere to the aforementioned agreement during yesterday’s strike is unprecedented,” it said.
HSE head of industrial relations Brendan Mulligan said it was “not acceptable on any level to use patients as pawns in any industrial dispute”.
“We have made several proposals in an attempt to resolve this dispute all of which have been refused by the union.
“We remain open to re-engaging with them to resolve this dispute but at the very least are calling on the INO to see sense in relation to providing emergency cover next week, which is essential to ensuring the safety of patients at the hospital.”
It called on the INO to call off the action and to have their grievances progressed through the normal dispute resolution mechanisms.
“The HSE will take all necessary measures to protect the safety and dignity of patients in the event of the action proceeding,” the statement said.
The INO has insisted the action is necessary.
Earlier this week INO industrial relations officer in the northwest, Noel Treanor accused management of trying to “break the strike” and of using bullying tactics after they asked nurses who were on night duty on Wednesday night to remain on duty at 8am when the strike began.
INO members voted by 97 per cent in favour of the strike and their representatives said they would escalate the action if management did not reverse the recent decision to sack 19 temporary nurses.