Nurses at Cork University Hospital are to ballot for industrial action today.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said that its members in the GB Radiotherapy Ward will vote on engaging in a work-to-rule in protest at “ongoing inadequate and unsafe nurse staffing levels” on the ward.

The INMO said that management have failed to produce a report on a wide-ranging review agreed at a Workplace Relations Commission Hearing in May 2015.

The INMO claims it has written to management requesting meetings and a response to the members’ concerns, but no meeting has taken place to date.

“It is regrettable that INMO members have to consider engaging in industrial action given that management are aware of the needs of the service and have failed in their commitment to honour the terms of the WRC agreement brokered in May 2015,” said INMO industrial relations officer Mary Rose Carroll.

“In addition, management have increased bed numbers without any increase in staffing levels.

“INMO members are extremely frustrated at management’s lack of acknowledgement and engagement on this issue.

“They are disappointed that their legitimate concerns regarding their ability to provide safe care are being ignored and have been further compromised by the placing of six additional beds on the ward.

“Moreover, management have not recognised, nor acknowledged, our members’ concerns with regard to patient safety, their professional registration and their well-being which is compromised as a result of working in this environment.”

The ballot will take place today.

The work to rule would allow available nurses to prioritise all care by ceasing non urgent clerical and administrative work.

The INMO remains available to meet with management in an effort to resolve this issue.