Nurses have announced plans to escalate their campaign of industrial action next week if their demands for improved pay and conditions are not addressed.
Members of the Irish Nurses Organisation and the Psychiatric Nurses Association are currently on the second day of a work-to-rule protest as part of the campaign.
The two unions decided this morning that they would begin staging full work stoppages from next Wednesday if moves are not made to deal with their demands.
The nurses have yet to decide on what form the stoppages may take, but say they will announce details of the plans on Monday.