Bid to end psychiatric nurses' dispute

Unions representing psychiatric nurses will hold discussions today with health chiefs in an attempt to end industrial action.

The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) and Siptu, representing 8,000 staff, have refused to work overtime since Thursday and have threatened to escalate their industrial action on Monday.

The dispute centres on a compensation scheme for staff attacked on the job.

The unions will meet HSE officials today to discuss the deadlock.

PNA General Secretary Des Kavanagh last night said: “The impact of withdrawal of co-operation on redeployment will be huge. We have noted the request by advocacy groups to take a step back in the interests of patients and, as a gesture of goodwill, we are giving a week’s notice of our action.

“This creates an opportunity for resolution of the dispute if the HSE wishes to avail of it.”

Since Thursday, PNA and Siptu members have worked rostered hours only.

Bans have also been put in place on assisting admissions, accompanying patients to tribunals, and attendance at non-essential meetings.

Schizophrenia Ireland and Mental Health Ireland both expressed concern about the ongoing dispute.

If the industrial action is stepped-up unions say it will hit most of Dublin’s major acute hospitals.