Nurses at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda are staging a lunchtime protest over staff shortages and overcrowding.

The INMO members say there are 103 posts currently vacant at the hospital, but all beds are open despite the fact that there are not enough staff on duty to provide the appropriate care.

Industrial action in the form of a work-to-rule is due to begin on Thursday May 19 unless there is a breakthrough in talks with management, which are getting underway this afternoon.