Significant disruption is being caused to health services across the country, as INMO members escalate their industrial action over pay and working conditions.

Up to 50,000 outpatient appointments and planned procedures have been cancelled, and day centres for older people and those with disabilities are closed.

An offer from the government for talks on issues other than pay was immediately rejected by the INMO yesterday.

Today’s industrial action is impacting on patients and services across Waterford.

All Out Patient, Inpatient and Day Surgery appointments at University Hospital Waterford have been cancelled and the Injury Unit is closed.

In the community -Routine community nursing services and health centre nurse clinics are cancelled. Public day centres and day hospitals for older people or people with disabilities are closed.

All planned admissions, including respite and rehabilitation, to public community nursing units and specified centres for people with intellectual disability are cancelled.

Management at University Hospital Waterford request that people only attend for emergency services if absolutely essential.

They apologise to all those patients and family members affected by the action.