Jobs embargo ‘threatens mental health services’

AS the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum prepares to close to new admissions from June 15, it has emerged mental health services across the country are in serious difficulty due to the staffing embargo.

CMH’s decision is due to the failure of the HSE to sanction the filling of 25 nursing vacancies. It means there will be no place for dozens of dangerous or suicidal patients, including prison inmates, from next week.

However, according to Des Kavanagh, general secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA), the shortfall is replicated nationwide.