The industrial action in St Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel, Co Tipperary has escalated following the decision by non-nursing staff to go on a series of one-day strikes over beds in corridors.
According to SIPTU branch secretary Mr Nicholas Parker, non-nursing staff will go on strike today. A picket will be placed on the hospital from 8 a.m. but an emergency service will provide meals for patients. There will be another stoppage on Tuesday.
The situation will be reviewed after Tuesday, but the union says it will continue its action until the problems are resolved.
This escalation comes a week after Irish Nurses' Organisation members resumed a work-to-rule in protest at hospital conditions.
There are approximately 100 staff members involved in this action. Their duties include catering, medical care, cleaning work and general domestic work.
In a statement, the South Eastern Health Board said it was committed to the reduction of overcrowding in St Joseph's Hospital and to the provision of quality healthcare to patients. It said the following initiatives which it put in place would alleviate the overcrowding:
The acute medical bed capacity will be increased by 15 beds in December;
That date depends on the completion of the current negotiations with the INO and SIPTU in St Anthony's Unit;
10 additional beds will open in Tipperary town in December. Step-down care will be provided in the district hospitals in Carrick-on-Suir and Clogheen;
23 additional permanent acute beds will be available on completion of phase I of the new hospital project.