A Cork-based GP worries that people will die due to nurses’ strikes

There are three days of strike action planned for next week.

Irish nurses and midwives are currently involved in disputes regarding their working conditions. It has resulted in strike action, and many people around the country rallying around these men and women. The strikes have, of course, resulted in lower staffing in hospitals across the country. And some people are concerned that patients will suffer. Dr Doireann O’Leary spoke on both the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk and RTÉ’s Today with Sean O’Rourke show today. She explained that she was concerned about her father, who has had two cancer scans cancelled as a result of the the dispute. "My dad was added into an already full list for camera assessments in the Mercy Hospital,"she said. "Going into next week with three days of strikes, there is only so much reshuffling you can do. We are totally being pushed to capacity." "I'm really concerned I do believe people will die as a result of this." Dr O'Leary also highlighted the fact that if she was not a doctor, her father could be "sitting at home actively dying of lung cancer". "That is not hyperbole, that is the fact of the matter." "I'm so worried and so upset for the people who are suffering as a result of this and maybe don't even know, and don't know where to turn." And while she has her concerns, she also completely backs nurses, and understands why they are striking. "The conditions are appalling, the nurses are absolutely right in what they are saying." "The nurse-to-patient ratio on wards is at very unsafe levels at times. What nurses put up with in hospitals is extraordinarily stressful and I think the Government don't seem to be listening to workers on the ground or taking us seriously," she said. "GPs are protesting as well, and you just feel all of our cries for help are going a bit unheard." Strikes are set to take place next week, on the 12th, 13th and 14th of February.