Health care assistants say their only option unfortunately will worsen hospital situation

Although industrial action will almost certainly worsen the situation in our hospitals, home care assistants have no other option.

That's according to SIPTU organiser for health care assistants in Kerry, Natasha Linehan Tracey.

600 health care assistants in Kerry were among those polled, when HCAs nationwide voted overwhelmingly in favour of beginning industrial action, up to and including strike action.

It concerns, what SIPTU describes as, the HSE's failure to meet agreed terms and conditions.

Ms Linehan Tracey claims that they've been waiting eight years for the HSE to fix the problem.