By Grace Hanna
Graduate Psychiatric Nurses in Mayo Galway and Roscommon have resorted to a ‘work-to-rule’ strike (whereby workers do no more than the minimum required in their contract).
This action commenced on Tuesday, 17 September following a dispute over staff recruitment of 250 graduate psychiatric nurses.
The action is currently ongoing in mental health services in areas where all new graduates were not offered permanent contracts, including at University Hospital Galway.
Peter Hughes, General Secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) believes that the HSE must do better a better job at recruiting graduate nurses.
“With these new graduate nurses now coming onstream, the failure of the HSE to recruit them into our mental health services in a number of areas of the Country means they will be lost to the private sector and attracted to posts abroad.”
The issue of recruitment of up to 300 graduate nurses is part of the wider dispute with the HSE regarding chronic understaffing.
Sinn Féin TD and party spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Máiread Farrell has addressed the industrial action taken by psychiatric nurses in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. She described the HSE’s refusal to recruit new graduate psychiatric nurses as “very concerning.”
Speaking about the ongoing industrial action, the Galway TD said: “I’ve been contacted by numerous constituents in relation to this. They are rightly concerned about the impact this will have on services.’’
Farrell also raised concerns on the effects of the industrial action. “My party highlighted how the recruitment embargo would have a detrimental impact on services and place staff, who are already under heavy strain.’’
Mr Hughes has also commented on the areas of the country where graduates were not offered temporary contracts.
“We believe the total lack of urgency in making these appointments is shameful and an insult to our new graduates.”
Adam Connolly, mental health nursing student at the University of Galway, said that between the first and third year of his degree he is required to complete over 1,500 hours of unpaid placement.
“We are dedicating four years of our lives (9-5 in college and full-time hours on placement) with a fear of not being offered a permanent position
“Some of my cohort are beginning to wonder is it even feasible to consider staying in Ireland when there are superior opportunities offered elsewhere.”
In a statement to Galway Pulse, the Department of Health voiced their disappointment at the strike action. “The Government acknowledges the very important role that psychiatric nurses play in the provision of mental health services in Ireland.
“The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) have committed to offering psychiatric nurse positions within the HSE to those who graduated in 2024.
“The Department understands that both the HSE and the PNA are continuing to engage in dialogue and would urge both parties to seek a swift resolution in the interest of our health service.”
In a statement made to Galway Pulse, the HSE have pledged “to work to resolve the issues involved.”