A six-week-old industrial dispute involving nurses at a care centre for the elderly in Longford town came to an end yesterday after the Midland Health Board agreed to additional staff for the unit.
The board agreed to the immediate allocation of additional nursing and care attendant hours to St Joseph's Hospital following lengthy discussions with the Irish Nurses' Organisation.
In addition, it has agreed to an independent review of staffing levels at the hospital, which the INO had described as grossly inadequate. It said there was just one nurse on night duty to attend to 41 very dependent patients.
However, an additional night nurse is to be appointed immediately.
The INO confirmed last evening it was calling off its work-to-rule and accepting the interim settlement proposals.
A spokeswoman for the Midland Health Board said it welcomed the resolution of the industrial dispute.
During the dispute, which involved several lunchtime protests outside the centre, elderly patients in need of hospitalisation who were taken to Mullingar General Hospital were refused readmission to the care centre. In addition, patients referred to the casualty unit attached to St Joseph's for dressings were sent back to their GP to be cared for.