A FOUR HOUR work stoppage by nurses disrupted mental health services in the midlands yesterday. The incident, which is unrelated to the nurses pay negotiations, affected St Loman's Hospital and the Community Health Centre, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, and Longford Mental Health Centre.
The nurses are dissatisfied with the use of untrained staff for duties formerly carried out by trained nurses. The general secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses' Association, Mr Des Cavanagh said changes in staffing arrangements had been negotiated with the Midland Health Board but were not introduced as agreed.
Further action is planned, including bans on escorts for patients leaving hospital and unpaid cover in higher posts for colleagues on leave.
Meanwhile, representatives of the nursing unions which are in dispute with the Government over pay met yesterday to discuss strategy. No statement was issued. The Irish Nurses' Organisation will hold branch meetings over the next six weeks at which its members will be balloted on strike action.
Two of the unions, the Psychiatric Nurses' Association and IMPACT, have voted to accept the Government offer, but the other union, SIPTU, has rejected it.