Psychiatric nurses serve three weeks’ strike notice on HSE

Psychiatric nurses have served three weeks’ strike notice on the Health Service Executive as part of a dispute over compensation in the event of assault or injury.

Members of the Psychiatric Nurses Association and SIPTU have voted by 90% in favour of industrial action in pursuit of a proper compensation scheme.

The two unions are due to meet over the coming weeks to decide the exact form the action will take.

More than 1,250 assaults on psychiatric nurses were recorded last year, a 50% increase on the figure for 2001.

The PNA says 51 nurses have been left permanently disabled and out of work as a result of the attacks.