The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called for all private hospital capacity to be fully nationalised into the public healthcare system, to deliver additional beds and staffing over the coming weeks.
The 40,000 strong union described the health service as being under "unprecedented" pressure, and noted that current Government plans only provide for the use of one third of private hospital capacity.
The union has also demanded that the practice of allowing close contacts of people diagnosed with Covid-19 to return to work should end immediately, and is seeking assistance with childcare provision to allow health care professionals to attend work.