by Deborah Condon

Nurses at St Columcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, following a decision by hospital management to reduce staffing levels on night duty.

According to the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO), the reduced staffing levels relate to four of the hospital's busiest units and the decision was made without any consultation or negotiations with nurses.

Many of the hospital's most dependent patients are cared for on these units and the decision has exposed both nurses and patients 'to an unnecessary risk', the organisation said.

Nurses were balloted on the issue of industrial action on Thursday, following a lunchtime protest.

"Management had offered an independent staffing review but refused to guarantee that they would implement all recommendations arising from the review", the INO said.

It is currently considering the nature and timing of industrial action at the hospital, however the organisation has previously indicated that any action will most likely commence on Thursday, July 4 and will involve a withdrawal of labour.

Meanwhile INO general secretary, Liam Doran, has hit out at comments suggesting that nurses have had their pay position adequately addressed.

"It is a simple reality that the pay and working hours of nurses and midwives continue to lag behind all other professional grades and administrative staff in the Irish health service", he said.

Mr Doran made his comments in the latest edition of the INO journal, 'The World of Irish Nursing'.