New plan raises hopes for positive outcome to Galway hospital dispute

As talks aimed at resolving the University College Hospital Galway dispute continued last night, union officials expressed hopes of a positive outcome.

A compromise proposal involving minimal bed closures and guarantees on nursing and non-nursing staff jobs was being discussed into the late hours in the new round of talks convened by Mr John O'Dowd, chairman of the National Partnership Forum.

The closure of two wards as part of cost-saving measures by the Western Health Board is not now expected to be implemented, and agreement was being sought yesterday on refurbishment of one ward, provided patients were not affected.

The health board, the Irish Nurses' Organisation and SIPTU took part in the negotiations, aimed at resolving the three-week-old dispute over proposed cutbacks.

Already the savings sought by the health board have been considerably reduced since the measures were announced in early November.

The board had hoped to save £300,000 on expenditure to Christmas by closing the two wards and a theatre and laying off 45 temporary nursing staff at the hospital, but this was opposed by the two unions.

Under the Health Amendment Act, health boards must remain within budget, and the Western board is expected to overrun by £1.7 million.

This latest initiative came after an appeal late last week by the board's chief executive officer, Dr Sheelah Ryan, to reopen negotiation.

Labour Relations Commission efforts broke down last Wednesday after six hours of discussion, with unions accusing management of making no effort to find a settlement. The LRC talks had been a backward step, the INO said. It instructed its 400-plus members to work to rule by refusing to answer telephones in wards or carry out any reception-type duties.