The HSE say between 10,000 and 11,000 hospital staff are out sick at present.
Meanwhile the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation say talks are continuing with members about possible strike action.
The HSE say around 11,000 hospital staff are currently out sick at the minute, this equates to around 8% of the workforce.
They say Covid accounst for 2% of staff current absent while it’s estimated another 2% are out with the flu.
Meanwhile the INMO is moving closer to the possibility of strike action in the face of continued hospital overcrowding.
They’re meeting with members today and throughout this week.
They say that it’s not acceptable that the health service is overwhelmed every winter and that the HSE should be more prepared, including being able to manage better when staff are out sick.
