SIPTU Welcomes Confirmation of Additional Payment For Mental Health Nurses

SIPTU has welcomed confirmation that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has approved a payment recognising the vital role of community mental health nurses.

The organisation's Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said that union representatives have been engaging over the last number of weeks with the Health Service Executive (HSE) management in an attempt to resolve a number of issues highlighted as having a negative impact on the recruitment and retention of mental health nurses.

"The confirmation that a payment will be made to recognise the vital role of community mental health nurses is a welcome step. However, a number of outstanding issues remain that must be addressed to ensure mental health staff are resourced properly and can provide an adequate service for patients," Mr Figgis said.

"We intend to continue to work with the WRC to prepare a composite document that seeks to address and resolve all of the issues concerning recruitment which have been identified by our members."

(MH/LM)