Psychiatric nurses warn of ‘long and dirty battle’

HEALTH chiefs could be forced into a crisis situation in a potentially “long and dirty battle” with psychiatric nurses, it was warned yesterday.

Industrial action by the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) has resulted in the closure of beds in Dublin, while hostels and day services have been forced to shut their doors.

The dispute centres on a compensation scheme for nurses who are attacked on the job, with unions claiming the package proposed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) devalues psychiatric nurses.

The PNA and SIPTU, representing around 8,000 nurses, are to meet today at 1pm in Liberty Hall to discuss escalation of the action.

Schizophrenia Ireland and Mental Health Ireland expressed concern about the continuing dispute and have urged a speedy end.

PNA general secretary Des Kavanagh said: “I will be recommending that we withdraw our co-operation with the re-deployment of staff.

“At the moment the services which are running, are running on our good will, in so far as staff are being re-deployed back into hospitals. My approach would be to withdraw that co-operation and force a crisis.”

Responding to the concerns of those working with mental health patients, he added: “We will engage in talks with anyone at anytime, but we can’t talk to ourselves.

“We are available at the drop of a hat to engage in discussions... It looks like it’s going to be a long and dirty battle.”

Since Thursday, PNA and SIPTU members have worked rostered hours only. Bans have also been put on place on assisting admissions, accompanying patients to tribunals, and attendance at non-essential meetings.

Meanwhile, Minister for Health Mary Harney has been urged to intervene in the row.

The Labour Party said patients will suffer unless the matter is resolved.

“If action is not taken it seems inevitable that this dispute will escalate, causing serious problems in the psychiatric services,” said health spokeswoman Jan O’Sullivan.

“The trade unions have said that their action is directed against the management, but inevitably an overtime ban of this nature will impact on patients.

“This dispute is symptomatic of the poor morale in the health services that has led to a number of disputes and threats of industrial action, and the HSE seems incapable of dealing with the problem.”