Nurse who voiced concerns over psych unit suspended

A mental health nurse who went public with his concerns about a new psychiatric unit has been suspended indefinitely.

Des McSweeney, who is a psychiatric nurse in South Lee Mental Health Services, received a letter from the HSE on March 31 telling him he had been placed “off duty with pay” pending a formal meeting.

The letter, from Ned Kelly, area director of nursing with Cork Mental Health Services, said Mr McSweeney had been advised “of [HSE] policies and procedures relating to communications particularly with the media” but that he had “continued to engage in a manner which is inconsistent with the aforementioned policies and procedures”.