OVERBURDENED nurses have turned to their unions for help out of fear that ward closures could stop them providing a professional service.

Health and Social Services announced the wards would not reopen until they had enough people to staff them.

The department has money available, but has been unable to recruit enough qualified nurses to open De Sausmarez surgical ward and Divette ward, both of which were closed at the end of November in an attempt to curb a £2.5m. overspend.

HSSD also confirmed yesterday that a small number of staff had indicated they wished to resign.

Unite union officer Bob Lanning and Royal College of Nursing union member Bev Clark, pictured, said staff were concerned they could not provide a good service after being moved to different wards.