The INMO is considering taking industrial action in a dispute around the opening of Ballyshannon Community Hospital.
Talks between the nurses’ union and the HSE broke down last Friday as the parties were unable to reach an agreement over staffing and clinical governance at the new hospital.
The INMO argues that it cannot support the opening of the 80-bed hospital until staffing levels are adequate. Industrial action could create further delays.
In a statement the HSE said it is actively seeking to engage with INMO colleagues to find a resolution to support the commencement of services in early February 2024.
“In preparation for the opening of the new Community Hospital, there has been constructive partnership working between the HSE and the Unions over many months, supported more recently by the conciliation services of the Workplace Relations Commission,” a spokesperson said.
“It is disappointing that the INMO are going ahead with a ballot for industrial action before the engagement and conciliation had been allowed to reach a conclusion.”
INMO Industrial Relations Officer for the region, Neal Donohue said “Patient and worker safety must be paramount for any decision to open the hospital, and the failure to adequately plan for this won’t be accepted by the nurses going into this hospital.
“It is deeply disappointing that this much-needed new facility remains unused while the HSE continues to drag its heels over these issues.
“Nurses want to ensure their patients are safe, and not exposed to the risk of compromised care due to unsafe staffing levels, and they want to ensure these issues are resolved from the outset instead of waiting until staff and patients are already in danger.”
