15 th January 2019
Dear Colleagues,
A PNA delegation met with the Department of Health and HSE today 15 th January 2019 in relation to our Recruitment and Retention dispute.
The employer confirmed and acknowledged the seriousness of the current situation; however, they were not forthcoming with any proposals to avert action.
The PNA outlined the impact on service delivery and patient care as a result of the non-implementation of Vision for Change i.e. the removal of 76% of beds with the development of only 30% of Community Services. To currently maintain theses inadequate and minimal services, the Mental Health Services have an unsustainable reliance on Agency and Overtime as a consequence of the inability to recruit and retain nurses. The HSE spend € 1 million on Agency and € 300,000 per week in the Mental Health Services. This over reliance on Agency and Overtime is detrimental to the provision of a comprehensive Mental Health Service.
In this context a follow-on meeting has been arranged for next Monday 21 st January, at which the employer has committed to bring forward proposals.
Our NEC will meet on Friday 18 th January at 10.30am in the Midlands Hotel, Portlaoise.
Our campaign of escalating action commences on the 31 st January comprising of the following:
• PNA members will not be available to work additional hours (Overtime) on 31 st January and the 01 st February.
• PNA members will not be available to work additional hours (Overtime) on the 05 th 06 th and 7 th February.
• PNA members will Strike on 12 th 13 th and 14 th February 2019.
Yours sincerely
Mr Peter Hughes
General Secretary