Nurses consider industrial action

Claire O’Sullivan

The Government decision came in spite of a Task Force on Assaults on Psychiatric Nurses report which recommended nurses assaulted at work should be entitled to adequate compensation, without having to prove liability and without incurring legal fees.

Instead of the automatic compensation scheme, Tánaiste Mary Harney had recommended the establishment of a Fixed Redress Scheme in addition to the existing indemnity scheme established in 1983.

It’s believed the Fixed Redress Scheme could be based upon a ‘book of quantum’ where a certain amount of money would be given for each injury, ie loss of finger, limb. In case of psychological trauma, nurses will have to go to court.

As well as considering the possibility of industrial action, the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) has also sought legal advice on whether to seek a judicial review of the decision at the High Court.

According to the PNA, 859 nurses were assaulted in the workplace in 2001.

PNA secretary general, Des Kavanagh said the redress board was an “interesting development” but was a watering down of the task force recommendations. He said former Health Minister Micheál Martin had informed them by letter in 2002 that if they ended their planned industrial action he would “accept and implement the findings and recommendations” of the task force.

A Department of Health spokesman said last night they did not believe the letter was legally binding and that the States Claims Agency was progressing with its plans for a redress board.