Sir, - Throughout the nurses' dispute it has become increasingly apparent that the benefit of membership of ICTU for nurses is questionable, to say the least. This dispute from a nurses perspective is more about recognition of their undoubted enhanced contribution to healthcare, than about money. This enhanced contribution is a result of increased qualifications and general career development.
This development in career structures results in nurses assuming greater responsibility. As a direct consequence nurses are taking on a greater share of the workload. Throughout the dispute we have heard countless stories of medical staff being unable to perform duties that nurses routinely perform on a daily basis. It must be borne in mind that not so many years ago many of these tasks were the sole responsibility of the medical staff, who are now unable to carry them out. I suggest these facts demonstrate that nurses are entitled to the remunerative recognition they seek.
The essence of partnership is the maintenance of a structure that forever condemns nurses to their place at the lower end of the hierarchical scale. ICTU has a vested interest in preserving the cosy cartel that is partnership. Against this background, I believe that nurses would do well at least to consider whether their best interests may be better served outside of ICTU. - Yours, etc.,
Rita Healy, RGN SCM RPN ONC, Portaferry, Co Down.