Psychiatric Nurses in Galway have voted overwhelmingly to commence industrial action in response to the failure of HSE management to address staffing and safety issues at the Acute Psychiatric Unit at University College Hospital Galway (UCHG).
Following the outcome of the ballot in which 90% of staff in the Galway West Mental Health Services voted in favour of industrial action the PNA has served notice on the HSE that action will commence on Tuesday 26 th May.
Labour Relations Commission (LRC) chaired talks involving the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) and the HSE to address staffing and health and safety issues at UCHG, where there have been 36 assaults on staff this year, collapsed two weeks ago (28th April) following a warning by HSE management of sanctions against ten nurses who did not take up duty in the Unit on Wednesday 22 nd April on health and safety grounds.
PNA Industrial Relations Officer, Peter Hughes said psychiatric nurses have been left with no option but to move to industrial action following the breakdown of the LRC talks.
‘It is regrettable that nurses have to take this action to ensure their safety and that of their patients which is clearly the responsibility of the HSE.'
Media Contacts: Derek Cunningham 086-2430535/Peter Hughes 087- 2103514
