Despite large numbers of patients waiting on Emergency Department trolleys and having to close their doors on several occasions due to the overwhelming number of patients, a new 15-bed, state of the art, modular unit at the Lourdes Hospital which is completely kitted out and ready to go, lies empty because there are no staff to operate it.

That is the shocking reality revealed to Drogheda Life by a high ranking member of the nursing staff at the hospital ahead of the planned industrial action to be taken by nursing and other staff at the hospital this coming week.

“Nurses, porters, healthcare assistants and catering staff are refusing to work there until the desperate staffing shortage in existing services is addressed” said our source, who wishes to remain anonymous.

“.. this colossal mismanagement raises urgent questions about how millions of taxpayer euros are being spent” she added.

“The decision to open additional beds (15 in new modular building and 18 in ground floor west) without hiring additional essential staff has sparked outrage among Unions, resulting in an unprecedented standoff.

“This is a wakeup call for the HSE: How can patient care improve when the very teams needed to support it are being side-lined?” she asked.

“Why pour millions into vacant wards if there is no staff to open them? Who is responsible for this outrageous debacle? The Public Deserves answers now!!”

She said that the planned industrial action will have a significant impact on all services at OLOL and there will be critical safety concerns for patient safety.

Following a failed conciliation meeting with senior management which took place yesterday, the planned industrial action is due to commence on Monday morning and there is no agreement in place regarding derogations and areas exempt from the work to rule.

On Thursday the industrial action increases to an all-out work stoppage which will mean that all non-essential or elective services will cease.