Nurses agree to psych unit plan in Cork

The delayed opening of a €15m hospital psychiatric unit has moved a step closer after nurses agreed to transfer there in response to staffing commitments from management.

The 17-5 vote by Siptu mental health nurses at Cork University Hospital comes a week after a similar result among their counterparts with the Psychiatric Nurses Association. Members of both unions were voting on the latest proposals by the HSE, after staff had initially refused to move from the existing mental health ward because of concerns there was inadequate staffing for the new 50-bed unit.

It was originally due to open last January but ongoing difficulties between unions and management prevented the move, which should now be able to go ahead. As well as an offer of increased staffing above what was already proposed, the unions said the HSE had given a commitment to open a six-bed high-observation unit within the facility in the near future.

Siptu representative and staff nurse Des McSweeney said members now look forward to management following through on its commitments, and the recruitment of the necessary staff to allow the move to the new unit.

Psychiatric Nurses Association general secretary Des Kavanagh said the votes of the two unions should clear the way for the transfer once the appropriate staff have been recruited.

The agreement accepted by mental health nurses also offers clarity on the use of healthcare assistants in the facility, which had been an issue of concern to nurses.