Psych unit to open after deal with union

Members of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) have voted in favour of accepting proposals that will help pave the way for the opening of a new €15m psychiatric unit following a six-month delay.

The acute adult 50-bed unit at Cork University Hospital (CUH) was meant to open in January last but mental health nurses refused to transfer on the grounds of inadequate staffing and the temporary shelving of plans by the HSE to open a six-bed high-observation unit within the facility.

The row intensified after one nurse who aired his concerns in the Irish Examiner was subsequently put off duty with pay; however Des McSweeney was cleared to return to work after the PNA threatened to withdraw from the talks.