Management at the Southern Health Board (SHB) claim industrial action by nurses at Bantry General Hospital due to start tomorrow is unwarranted.
The dispute centres on night-time nursing levels at the hospital, with the health board maintaining that 22 additional nurses have appointed since 2000. SHB programme manager Mr Pat Madden said nurse numbers on night duty have increased from six to eight.
"Additionally, eight care assistants, three ward clerks and one cardiac technician have been appointed to carry out duties previously performed by nurses and to free nurses to focus on their core duties. The total number of new positions introduced since 2000 is 55."
Seventy nurses at the hospital voted for industrial action earlier this month. Nurses said the hospital is understaffed, particularly on night shifts.
Irish Nurses' Organisation spokesman Mr Michael Dineen said staff had little choice but to implement strike action.