A&E overcrowding may force nurses to take industrial action

The warning comes as it emerged that 399 people were treated on trollies at CUH last month

 

Nursing unions have warned that their members may take industrial action later this month to highlight continuing overcrowding in emergency departments.

It comes as Cork University Hospital was identifed as one of six hospitals around the country which endured the highest levels of overcrowding in August  

Nearly 400 people were treated on trolleys at the hospital last month and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says nationally overcrowding last month was 40% higher than in August of last year.

The INMO executive council will meet next Tuesday to agree on a campaign that may include a series of simultaneous work stoppages for limited periods across a number of hospitals.

The union's Michael Dineen told RedFM News the situation will get worse unless additional bed capacity, both acute and continuing care, is introduced for patients

 

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