The union representing psychiatric nurses has been granted leave by the High Court to challenge the 50% reduction in sick leave entitlement imposed on public servants by a two-year-old Labour Court ruling.

THE HSE “alienated” a group of consultant psychiatrists by publicly announcing the closure of an acute psychiatric unit without warning the consultants of the decision.

Scores of nurses are to stage a series of hour-long stoppages in Dublin and Tipperary today as they step up their campaign for better pay and working conditions.

Contingency plans were being finalised in hospitals tonight as scores of nurses in Dublin and Tipperary prepare to stage a series of hour-long work stoppages.

Discussions are taking place at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin today to minimise the number of non-emergency procedures that will be affected by industrial action taken by nursing staff tomorrow.