Work-to-rule industrial action by nurses and midwives in hospitals across the country has entered its fifth day.
The Irish Nurses' Organisation has said details of full work stoppages are to be announced on Monday.
Dave Hughes, Deputy General Secretary of the INO, says the work-to-rule is being complied with 100% by nurses and midwives. He added, they are all satisfied that there is no risk to patient care.
Meanwhile, the Health Service Executive says that problems are emerging in intensive and cardiac care, over worries about the adequacy of clerical cover that has been put in place.
The HSE says flexibility on the taking of blood samples now appears to be breaking down.
The INO will announce details of the locations and durations of all-out work stoppages, to begin next Wednesday, at a press conference on Monday.
