"It is the night hours that will tell the tale." This was the response from hospital management in the west yesterday, as nursing staff in accident and emergency departments began their work-to-rule. Four acute hospitals were affected by the industrial action.
All elective surgery has been cancelled today at University College Hospital, Galway (UCHG) as a consequence of the industrial action, and only emergency operations will take place.
A spokeswoman for the Western Health Board said that the four hospitals - UCHG, Portiuncula in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, Mayo General in Castlebar and Roscommon County - had "coped" with the situation.
The health board is repeating its advice today to people to stay away from accident and emergency departments if possible, and visit their GPs.
There had been some confusion among the public about other procedures at the hospitals, and it should be stressed that these were not affected in three of the four hospitals, the spokeswoman said.
"All appointments for out patients and elective surgery are still being met in Castlebar, Ballinasloe and Roscommon," she stressed.
More than 40 staff on duty at UCHG joined the picket line yesterday and many of those expressed severe disappointment and anger at having to do so, while pledging their determination to see the action through.
Ms Noreen Muldoon, INO industrial relations officer, stressed patient care would not be compromised. An emergency response team in every unit would care for any critically ill patients, and a number of people on picket could be contacted by mobile if more cover was required, she said.
