Nurses Vote 'No Confidence' In Hospital Chiefs

Protesting nurses at Portiuncula Hospital in Galway have passed a vote of no confidence in their Director of Nursing and General Manager.

Nurses working in the Ballinasloe hospital cast their vote at a general meeting this week, over the handling of an ongoing dispute within senior nurse management at the hospital.

The dispute arose from grievances raised by the Assistant Director group regarding health and safety issues and conditions of employment.

The Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) said management attempted to manipulate their grievances and redirect them against themselves.

The Labour Relations Commission, earlier this week, invited both parties to exploratory talks in an attempt to see whether a solution can be brokered. The INO have said they responded agreed with the suggested dates from the LRC, but claim management have not confirmed their availability to attend.

Liam Doran, General Secretary of the Irish Nurses Organisation will address the protesting nurses on Friday when they gather at 1pm to show support and solidarity with five Assistant Directors of Nursing who are suspended in connection with the dispute.

Noreen Muldoon, Industrial Relations Officer, said: "The casting of the vote of No Confidence in the General Manager and the Director of Nursing reflects the anger and frustration displayed by the INO nursing staff at Portiuncula Hospital at the branch meeting."

The INO further said the lunch time protest will not involve any industrial action and will have no impact on patient care.

In a separate action, Nurses at Killarney Community Hospital in Kerry are to conduct a one-hour work stoppage this afternoon in protest at proposed changes to management structures at the hospital.

The INO said the changes, which would see the abolition of the director of nursing post, would lead to the downgrading in the status of the hospital.

The INO's Industrial Relations Officer Michael Dineen said the changes had been imposed by Health Service Executive despite a request from the INO that they be suspended to allow for the intervention of the Labour Relations Commission.

(DW/BMcC)