Hospital may need army help if psychiatric nurses strike

THE army or gardaí may be drafted into the Central Mental Hospital this afternoon amid claims by psychiatric nurses that the overtime ban has made it unsafe for them to work at the high-security unit.

This morning, the 120 nurses working in the Dublin facility will gather in its canteen before individually asking the hospital director to provide written assurances their safety is guaranteed. If it is not forthcoming they will refuse to resume work.

Also this morning, the Health Service Executive will be asked by the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) and SIPTU to provide assurances that there are adequate and safe staffing levels in Clare’s mental health services, as well as in St Vincent’s Hospital. If not, it is expected services will also be withheld by staff.