The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) has welcomed the publication of the Report - “ A Vision For Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing – A Shared Journey for Mental Health Care in Ireland ” which was launched at Farmleigh today (Wednesday).
Speaking at the launch, and ahead of the 41 st . PNA Annual Conference, PNA General Secretary Des Kavanagh said:
“Highly educated resourced and managed psychiatric nurses provide a unique contribution to those for whom they have professional responsibility. We need to ensure that contribution is further enhanced and developed moving forward. This Report increases the momentum to continue to develop our mental health nursing workforce.”
“The Report is essential reading for managers, educators, the psychiatric nursing profession, advocates and the wider community, and fundamental in highlighting and recording the psychiatric nursing contribution in the delivery of Irish mental healthcare.”
He said the PNA could be proud of its role in opening the dialogue and engagement with the HSE which had culminated in today's Report which acknowledges the key role of Psychiatric / Mental Health Nursing.
“In light of the enormous transformational changes our members have embarked on in closing large institutions and moving to community oriented services, and our continued commitment to implement government policy through Vision for Change, the PNA identified the requirement for a review of Psychiatric / Mental Health Nursing and the development of a robust professional strategy. This Report does that comprehensively.”
The Report's 17 recommendations form a comprehensive roadmap for Psychiatric / Mental Health Nursing across the entire panorama of primary, secondary and tertiary care and complement the key recommendations of the Report of the Expert group on Mental Health Policy – A Vision for Change.
“One of the key strengths of this report is that the principles and values of the recovery approach are central to its recommendations. And while there are challenges ahead with severe nursing shortages , scarce resources' and growing demand for services we hope this Report will be an enabler for innovative mental health nursing practice and identify a path forward to grasp the opportunity and meet those challenges. The continued collaboration of all the key stakeholders will be essential in this regard.”
“PNA will be paying very close attention to the implementation of today's Report and will seek to drive and influence its implementation. I want to pay tribute to the project team and steering group whose drive, energy and imagination have shaped this Strategy Report and Implementation Plan.”
Media Contacts: Des Kavanagh 087-2313809 / Derek Cunningham 086-2430535
