The Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) said it plans an overseas recruitment campaign this month to alleviate staff shortages and open closed beds, especially among the Dublin hospitals.
According to the ERHA, talks have taken place with Spanish nursing authorities with a view to recruiting nurses there. The Spanish authorities have indicated they are willing to give English classes to the nurses to enable them to work in Ireland.
The authority said it had also contacted other health boards within the Republic to see if any of their nurses were available to work in Dublin.
Yesterday the ERHA reissued its appeal to the public to stay away from Accident and Emergency Departments unless they are seriously ill or injured. Those who are not seriously ill can be treated more quickly by their GP, the statement said.
Age Action Ireland has put out a statement today saying that older people were not "bed blockers".
"The demands of older people on hospital services should not be used, however unintentionally, as an excuse for the current Accident and Emergency mess. Older people are entitled to hospital services, just like any other citizen," a statement from the group said.
