Galway city hospital appointments cancelled ahead of strike
Galway Bay fm newsroom - Almost all outpatient appointments at University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park Hospital have been cancelled for tomorrow.
It's as a result of a planned strike by Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors.
The junior doctors are undertaking the industrial action over long working weeks.
Nearly all appointments, including outpatient and elective in-patient, at the two city hospitals have been cancelled unless patients have been specifically contacted by the HSE.
However, all patients who have appointments at Porticunucla Hospital in Ballinasloe tomorrow are advised TO ATTEND, unless specifically contacted by the HSE and told not to.
Chief Executive of the West /North West Hospital Group, Tony Canavan, says junior doctors play an important role in hospitals:
Spokesperson for the Irish Medical Organisation, Eric Young, says the strike could escalate to a 48 hour action next week - or a rolling strike.
And he says patients can expect weekend-type cover in hospitals tomorrow.
Director General of the HSE, Tony O'Brien has urged the IMO to return to talks at the Labour Relations Commission.
He says the patients effected will be accommodated as soon as possible - but only if there is no further action.