The Government has proposed there should be talks with nurses on issues other than pay to resolve the current dispute which is set to cause further disruption for patients this week.
Nurses across Donegal are set to take to the picket lines again this week with industrial action set for tomorrow (Tues) and also Thursday.
Donegal’s INMO Industrial Relations officer, Ms Maura Hickey, said local nurses were prepared to go the long haul in a bid to have their demands met.
Minister for Health Simon Harris and the Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe suggested a new initiative in a bid to overcome the current impasse.
They said that new talks “could focus on the contribution and arrangements for the further roll out of the safe staffing framework to improve staff and patient outcomes and reduce reliance on agency staffing in our hospitals”.
“In addition, this engagement would encompass other relevant organisational issues appropriate to supporting quality and efficiency in the provision of patient service delivery in an integrated way.”
The Workplace Relations Commission has invited nursing unions and public service management to new talks to avert further strikes by nurses and midwives scheduled for the days ahead.
The HSE believes that about 50,000 people will be affected by the strike by nurses.
As part of an escalation of the dispute, the strike on Tuesday will affect people with appointments for rehabilitation and respite services.
Appointments for hospital in-patient operations, day case procedures and out-patient clinics will, with some exceptions, be cancelled for Tuesday.
