After 2 days of very difficult discussions under the auspices of the LRC on the opening of a new Acute Unit at Cork University Hospital (CUH), the HSE have offered one additional supervisory nursing post to resolve the current dispute.
HSE also offered to regularise 12 nurses acting in higher posts and to appoint 17 temporary nurses. The HSE have continued to refuse to open the High Observation Unit in accordance with its designated purpose, but have agreed that in the event that it is opened an additional 12.5 nurses will be employed.
Commenting on the LRC proposals the General Secretary of the PNA, Des Kavanagh said:
‘While the proposals are not what we had hoped for we are obliged to put them to a ballot of our members who will decide where we go from here. Over the last two Conciliation Conferences we have succeeded in increasing the employer's proposals by a total of 6 nursing staff and also received proposals regularising long term actors and appointment of temporary nurses. However, concerns will persist in relation to the failure to open the High Observation Unit and I am calling on Minister Kathleen Lynch to immediately provide the resources to open the High Observation Unit as originally planned.'
Media Contacts: Derek Cunningham 086-2430535