Nurses in Sligo General Hospital are strongly opposing a plan by the North Western Health Board to integrate the gynaecological ward into the general female surgical unit, saying that it would "put the hospital back 25 years".
A number of local politicians have also criticised the proposal.
Ms Cora O'Rourke, of the Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO), said nurses believed the ethos of the gynaecological ward would be "compromised" by such a development. "Up to 25 years ago gynaecological services were provided in the general surgical ward, and a specialised service was then developed. Nursing staff feel it would be a retrograde step to go back into a surgical ward now." Ms O'Rourke said that because there was a psychological aspect to a gynaecological service, it should be kept separate from other units. Women who had suffered miscarriages often needed counselling and specialised care.
Discussions are being held between the INO and the North Western Health Board to try to resolve the issue. The board has stressed that the move was never intended to save money and it would not lead to any reductions in bed or staff numbers.
Medical admissions at the hospital have increased by more than 13 per cent over the past two years, and the plan to move the gynaecological ward would enable the hospital to provide a third medical ward, the board said.
A spokeswoman said that the maximum number of beds required for the gynaecological service was 14 and that up to now the remaining six beds in the ward were occupied by both medical and surgical patients.
"The proposed new arrangements will in no way diminish the specialist services for gynaecological patients," the board said in a statement.
A further meeting is due to take place between the INO and the board early next week. Ms O'Rourke said that "all was not yet lost", as a compromise could be reached whereby a distinct gynaecological unit could be established on the general surgical floor of the hospital. She said nurses accepted that there "may be a need to rearrange beds".