Strike threat by mental health staff looms

STRIKE action by up to 6,000 nurses working in psychiatric and mental health services could begin as early as April 30.

The Psychiatric Nurses’ Association and SIPTU, which represents the nurses, are to meet in the coming days to discuss the nature of the action sparked by the compensation programme unveiled by the Government in recent weeks.

The nurses and health service have been debating the compensation scheme for assaults at work for a number of years without any real agreement.

In 2002, the Government put in place a taskforce to look at how that could be done. The then health minister Micheál Martin agreed whatever was put in place by the taskforce would be put into operation. “It reported 14 months later and over the next couple of years we were constantly trying to get the recommendations put in place but nothing happened,” said Psychiatric Nurses’ Association general secretary Des Kavanagh.

“In July 2005, Mary Harney called us in and told us the cabinet had decided not to implement the recommendations of the taskforce, but that instead she would ask the state claims agency to put in place a fixed redress scheme that would be based on and consistent with the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB).

“While we were disappointed that we were again long-fingered, at least we thought there was light at the end of the tunnel.”

Mr Kavanagh said Ms Harney promised by October 2005 there would be progress on the issue but that did not happen. At the end of 2007, the Government told the unions publication of the compensation document was imminent. Mr Kavanagh said in the meantime the incident in which two doctors were stabbed in Limerick in January last highlighted the concern of all the health profession about the lack of a compensation scheme and the lack of prevention.

“Eventually it was confirmed in the middle of January that the Government was going to publish it the following week. We were delighted. But when it was published it was absolutely extraordinary in its lack of compensation.”

He said, for example, if a nurse was pushed to the ground and kicked, and the kick resulted in any kind of laceration to the kidneys, the liver or the spleen, it would not be covered. If a nurse lost one eye, he or she would not be compensated but would be for the loss of two eyes. “While the PIAB was described as providing a normal level of cover we were getting about 12% to15% of the PIAB. If PIAB was normal, then it seemed to be worth a hell of a lot less for nurses,” said Mr Kavanagh.

Up to 6,000 nurses will be involved in any industrial action. SIPTU and the association have not determined the action yet, but it is likely to begin with a ban on overtime and then into full strike action. That can start any time from April 30.

Health Minister Mary Harney said she was disappointed by the threat of action and said what was on the table was the best the Health Service Executive could do.

“If that is the minister’s line then we are in for a very tough time at the end of the month because our members have decided enough is enough and we are not taking any more,” said Mr Kavanagh.