Nurses seek probe into unit management after 34 assaults on staff

The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) is calling for an independent investigation of the management of an acute psychiatric unit in Galway in the wake of 34 assaults on staff in the first three months of the year.

The figures came to light at the PNA annual delegate conference in Athlone, which continues today.

PNA general secretary Des Kavanagh said while violence was “not synonymous with mental illness” it “had to be honestly acknowledged that a small number of patients present a threat, and sometimes, a very serious threat”.