Staff Launch Protest At Portiuncula Hospital

Nursing staff at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, Co Galway are to stage another lunchtime protest today as part of an ongoing dispute.

Difficulties are continuing between the Health Service Executive and senior nurse managers at the hospital over the suspension of two nurses last year.

Protesting nurses at the hospital passed a vote of no confidence in their Director of Nursing and General Manager at a general meeting this week, over their handling of the issue.

Liam Doran, General Secretary of the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) will address the protesting nurses today when they gather at 1pm in a show of support for five Assistant Directors of Nursing who are officially on stress related sick.

According to the INO however, the five are prevented from returning to work by a threat of disciplinary action if they do so.

A spokesman for the nurse's organisation today said the dispute arose from grievances raised regarding health and safety issues and conditions of employment.

"The protesting nurses unanimously support their five senior nurse manager colleagues and are calling on management to co-operate with the LRC efforts to resolve the dispute," the spokesman said.

Noreen Muldoon, Industrial Relations Officer, said: “They are united in their support of their five senior nurse manager colleagues and want them returned to the workplace without pre-conditions.

According to the INO, the lunch time protest will not involve any industrial action and will have no impact on patient care.

The spokesman said: "!t is an opportunity for the staff and wider hospital community to express their support for these long serving senior nurse managers and their anger at the way they have been treated."

(DW/BMcC)