Mental Health Nursing Update
SIPTU nursing representatives have assisted in the development of a comprehensive document aimed at resolving the recruitment and retention of mental health service nurses following talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) today (Wednesday, 13th July).
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: “Following the discussions at the WRC today, a document to assist with the recruitment and retention of mental health service nurses will be sent to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) for approval.”
“The aim of this document is to assist the Government in solving the crisis in nursing staff levels in the mental health services and to seek resolves issues arising from the decision not to pay a nursing community allowance to new beneficiaries from 2012.
He added: “Today is an important step forward in our efforts to secure a comprehensive agreement with the HSE and Department of Health to resolve outstanding issues which have resulted in significant recruitment and retention difficulties in mental health nursing.
We look forward to the consideration of DPER to the submission which will be made in the coming days. SIPTU will continue their engagement with the HSE in order to secure an overall agreement and look forward to that engagement.”