Mayo nurses and midwives return to the picket line

THE third day of the nurses and midwives strike at Mayo University Hospital is underway.

They walked off their posts at 8 a.m. this morning to return to the picket line.

There has been no significant progress by the government in addressing the issues raised by the INMO since the previous days of action on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.

These issues, which have been widely documented, include retention and recruitment of staff, safety conditions for patients and nurses and pay parity.

Despite the support of the public being strongly behind the nurses in their demands, the government has refused to budge because of fears of opening pay increase floodgates to other trade unions and public sector professions.

However, the health system is being reduced to chaos as a result of the dispute and the cancellation of elective surgery, outpatient appointments and a range of other medical services.

The strike is hitting many heath servives across Mayo apart from those at Mayo University Hospital.

Members of the public are urged not to attend their local hospital except in the case of an emergency.

Further days of industrial action are planned for next week with no breakthrough in sight.

A spokesperson for the Castlebar hospital nurses and midwives said they remained fully committed in fighting their cause despite the government stance.

She assured the public that patients in the hospital are receiving the care they need at this time.