Over 37,000 nurses will take to the picket lines today (Thursday) on their third day of strike action.
The work stoppage will begin at 8am and will last until 8am on Friday.
Members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation are fighting for pay parity to bring their pay in line with other healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists. This would represent a pay increase of about 12%.
More strikes are likely as the government avoids giving in to raise nurses’ pay and continues to pursue negotiations.
Today’s strike will cause further disruptions in the health service.
Outpatient, inpatient and day surgery appointments have been cancelled today, along with minor injury units, community nursing services and health centre nurse clinics.
Public day centres and day hospitals for older people or people with disabilities are also closed.
All planned admissions, including respite and rehabilitation, to public community nursing units and specified centres for people with intellectual disability have been cancelled.
The HSE has said hospitals will be in contact with patients to re-schedule their appointments and surgeries in due course.
