Nursing aides, health assistants and care workers yesterday kept up their industrial action at state hospitals, homes for the elderly and health centres.

While the General Workers' Union insists that it will not withdraw its directives until a meeting with the government takes place, the Health Division yesterday issued another appeal for the union to suspend its action immediately.

It assured the union that it would hold a meeting "this very week" as soon as it receives a confirmation in writing of a suspension of directives.

Unless a meeting is held this week, there is a risk the directives will remain in force until August 27.

When contacted, GWU section secretary Louis Marsh said union officials would not be able to attend a meeting between next Monday and August 27 because some needed to go abroad.

There were indications, he said, that government officials were able to meet this week.

As the impasse persisted, for the fifth day running nurses continued to bear the brunt of the industrial action, having to wash and change patients on their own.

The workers represented by the union were last Friday ordered to carry out only food-related jobs, including handing out breakfast, tea and coffee.

Their job usually includes assisting nurses in the washing and cleaning of patients and getting them out of bed.

Those working at St Luke's Hospital's outpatient department and health centres were ordered not to process medical files or X-Rays while health centre employees are not taking appointments.