Nurses’ threat to escalate action lifted

THE threat of escalated industrial action by more than 7,000 psychiatric nurses nationwide was lifted last night following what appeared to be a successful conclusion to talks brokered by the Labour Relations Commission.

As part of the framework of proposals aimed at settling the dispute over a compensation scheme for nurses who are assaulted at work by patients, nurses are being offered compensation of between €5,000 and €100,000 for serious injury while the list of types of injuries covered has been increased to 52.

These and other proposals will be put before the executives of the Psychiatric Nurses’ Association and SIPTU tomorrow for formal acceptance.