Psychiatric nurses are set to launch industrial action later this month in response to staffing shortages and resource cuts.
The work-to-rule action will commence on Wednesday, March 26, as nurses protest against insufficient staffing levels that have put increased strain on healthcare services.
Michael Hayes of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) highlighted the severity of the issue, stating that many teams are operating with significantly fewer nurses than required.
“On teams where we should have five, we have three nurses. Instead of four nurses, we have three or sometimes only two,” he explained.
Hayes further emphasized that public perception does not align with reality, as many healthcare teams are not fully staffed as expected. “The gaps in residential, acute, and community services are being covered by overtime,” he added.
The industrial action aims to push for better staffing levels and improved working conditions for psychiatric nurses.
