The threatened nurses strike next Wednesday is already having an impact in the north west.
And the Saolta hospitals group says that if the strike goes ahead, it will have ‘significant impact’ on all services across every hospital in the group.
Already, the threatened strike by nurses is being felt locally.
For example, next Wednesday, no patients will be attending the mobile cardiac cath laboratory at Sligo University Hospital.
And more patients may very soon be receiving word of postponement of appointments.
Saolta says hospitals in its group are currently identifying patients whose appointments or procedures are due to take place on Wednesday next.
Postponed services are to include elective surgery, out-patient clinics and day services.
Saolta says each hospital will make every effort to ensure that patients are contacted as quickly as possible but it also advises the public to pay close attention to local and national media outlets for further updates.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is holding more talks with the HSE this lunchtime at the Workplace Relations Commission.
Meanwhile, the union is instructing its members to continue preparations for the first of a series of strikes on Wednesday next.
But INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha hopes the stoppage can be avoided:
