Nurses vote in favour of strike action

Psychiatric nurses could begin strikes within weeks over what their union describes as “understaffing” in mental health services at both acute and community levels.

The nurses, members of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA), voted 87% in favour of industrial action up to strikes, and the union board will meet tomorrow to decide on the timetable and form of action.

The PNA, which represents 5,000 nurses across the country, has accused the HSE of an “inadequate” response to address the issues of recruitment and retention of nurses throughout the mental health services.