HSE pulls memo under threat of industrial action

The HSE has been forced to withdraw a controversial memo placing additional responsibilities on nurses working in an acute psychiatric unit in Cork under threat of industrial action.

The memo, which relates to patients presenting for assessment to the acute mental health unit on the Cork University Hospital campus, stated that nurses from the unit should accompany patients to the hospital’s emergency department “if an overdose is suspected” or if the patient had an acute medical condition that required urgent attention.

The memo also stated that an initial assessment must be conducted at the unit “in most cases” by a doctor, but leaving the door open for assessments to also be carried out by nursing staff.