09/05/2008

Psychiatric Nurses' Dispute To Be Resolved

Psychiatric nurses are to hold talks on Friday with health care bosses to try to resolve the continuing dispute over compensation claims.

Nurses maintain that the compensation scheme offered to staff attacked on the job undermines their position, and earlier this week threatened to engage in further industrial action.

The Psychiatric Nurses' Association (PNA) and SIPTU, which represent more than 8,000 psychiatric nurses, and the Health Service Executive (HSE) will attend the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) at noon.

The dispute has already led to the closure of a number of psychiatric units and beds around the country.

Nurses, who are currently refusing to do overtime, accompany patients to mental health tribunals or attend non-essential meetings, were due to escalate their action on Monday.

From then, members will be told to report to their normal work base and not to accept any redeployment.

The move has forced the health bosses into seeking agreement with the nurses as industrial action could have a severe impact on patient health.

(DW/JM)

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