The Psychiatric Nurses’ Association has called on the HSE to reverse a raft of proposed bed closures at mental health units in Cork after one of its members was attacked while on duty.

The Psychiatric Nurses’ Association (PNA) yesterday claimed conditions at a dedicated unit in Kerry General Hospital, where three male nurses were assaulted by a disturbed patient, are dangerous.

THE regional director of operations in HSE West, John Hennessy has claimed absenteeism in major acute hospitals is not being reduced quickly enough.

An investigation has been launched to establish how up to 1,000 patients attending two regional hospitals in the south contracted Hepatitis B.