Mental health nurses assaulted 190 times in 12 months

Nurses at a dedicated child and adolescent mental health unit in Galway have been subjected to more than 190 assaults since the 12-bed unit opened last year.

According to the Psychiatric Nurses Association, about 25 nursing staff in an €8m, purpose-built unit at Merlin Park hospital are subjected to “repeated and dangerous assaults.”

Over a three-month period from July to the end of September last year, staff suffered 81 assaults, some causing significant injury which resulted in serious sick leave, the PNA said.