First of three 12-hour strike days took place on Thursday
Pressure on the Isle of Man’s health service is ‘unrelenting’ and staff rarely get time to ‘draw breath’.
That’s the admission from Manx Care’s executive director of nursing as nurses return to work today (Friday) following the first of three 12-hour strikes.
Paul Moore says different seasons can bring different issues but the service has seen no let-up in demand.
He says all parts of the hospital system are under increasing pressure and staff rarely get time to 'draw breath':
For the second time this year members of the Royal College of Nursing downed tools yesterday (14 September) to take industrial action as part of an ongoing row over pay and conditions.
The union claims real terms pay cuts are pushing people out of the nursing professions and putting patient safety at risk – Manx Care says it’s exhausted all available funding for pay rises.
Mr Moore has described the situation as ‘deadlock’ – you can find out more HERE.
Further industrial action is planned for next month – on the 18 and 19 October.
Two nurses who know only too well the extreme pressure the health service is facing are Maria and Ellen – they joined their colleagues on that picket line and spoke to Lewis Foster:
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