Members of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) have told the Southern Health Board they will escalate their industrial action at Tralee General Hospital following unsuccessful talks yesterday.
The dispute concerns staffing levels, personal alarms and issues surrounding the admission of high dependency patients at the 20-bed unit in Tralee General Hospital.
The 30 members went on a one-day withdrawal of labour yesterday. This followed two-hour stoppages last week.
However, the health board said it was satisfied staffing levels were comparable with other psychiatric units in the region. It said an alarm system integrated with the hospital's overall security system would be put in place immediately.
"The Southern Health Board recognises the need for a six-bed, high-bservation area to be created within the unit for patients brought in under Garda escort and a detailed planning brief is already with the Department of Health and Children for approval," it said in statement issued last night.
The hospital remained fully operational "at present", the health board said.
Meanwhile, nurses at Our Lady's Hospital in Cashel, Co Tipperary, are set to escalate their industrial action.
The Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO) served notice on the South Eastern Health Board yesterday that a work-to-rule would be stepped up, with work stoppages also planned from next week.