Sir, - As always, when it comes to discussions of nurses pay and conditions there are pleas not to strike. Ironically, these pleas often come from patients and doctors, an example being that from the Irish Patients Association (letters, December 5th). This letter from Stephen McMahon (patient) and Tony O'Sullivan (doctor) lists the detrimental effects of any proposed strike action by nurses.
However, the good doctor should take care before admonishing nurses not to strike. Are not some doctors in dispute with the GMS, thus meaning that essential primary health care is denied many people? Perhaps Dr. O'Sullivan should not be so quick in delivering lectures to nurses about seeking to redress their grievances.
It must be said that in their letter, both gentlemen acknowledge the essential role of the nurse in post operative care. They even go so far as to suggest that if nurses were to withdraw services, the resulting effects on patients could be negative in the extreme. If, as has been agreed, the role of the nurse is so essential, why do the pay and working conditions not reflect this?
The time has now come realistically to review, and appropriately remunerate, the role of the nurse in the health care system. As is evidenced by the general panic at the thoughts of proposed strike action, this role is central to adequate health care. Gone are days when nurses can be emotionally blackmailed by appeal to the deterimental effects on patients. If nurses matter so much, why not pay them accordingly? Yours, etc.,
Ballinascarthy,
Clonakilty,
Co. Cork.