The Minister for Health has this afternoon criticised the fact that nurses may soon go on strike over chronic and dangerous levels of overcrowding.
He said: “I understand the frustration that gives rise to nurses balloting for action, and In share that frustration.”
“I don’t believe that industrial action will get any patient off a trolley.
“But what there will be is negotiations and engagement between the union and the employer to work out what additional things can be done – particularly in terms of additional staffing in emergency departments.”
Nurses are due to be balloted in the near future, with the possibility of an all-out strike in the run-up to Christmas.