Industrial action by psychiatric nurses is “wake-up call” for Government, says Ward

Sinn Féin’s mental health spokesperson Mark Ward TD has called on the government to lift the recruitment embargo for mental health staff in the HSE, supporting the calls made by the Psychiatric Nursing Association (PNA).

The Psychiatric Nursing Association members have voted for industrial action over staff shortages and their effect on mental health services.

This week the Psychiatric Nurses Association voted for industrial action over the effects the HSE recruitment embargo.

Ward said the situation in the PNA was “unsatintable” and that mental health services in Ireland at at a “critical point.”

He warned that mental health services across Ireland could be at risk of closure if the issue is not resolved.

“The PNA has said that many of their services, including the likes of CAMHS, are reliant on overtime or agency staff to operate,” Ward noted.

He said the planned industrial action should serve as a wake-up call to Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.

“Staff are stretched and worn out. The service user is being affected and they and their families are at further risk as long as the recruitment embargo is in place.”

Ward said there are over 700 vacant positions in mental health services, and the self-imposed embargo on recruitment is having an impact on intervention in mental health services according to Ward.

“This week we saw the Mental Health Commission publish their annual report with alarming findings that related to the time before the embargo was put in place-  derogations from the recruitment embargo can be sought by the HSE, but we need the political will from Government to push this forward.”

The Dublin Mid-West TD noted that the decision to take industrial action was not taken “lightly,” but overall “the care of patients is at the forefront.”

“We need action now, for the services users in need but also for the staff that are delivering those services. The recruitment embargo needs to be lifted without delay.”