HSE launches withering attack on ‘unsafe’ action

A Health Service Executive official launched a withering attack on psychiatric nurses in Galway who engaged in unofficial industrial action last month.

The acting area manager for HSE West sharply criticised the ‘unsafe’ actions of 10 staff members who did not turn up for work at the acute psychiatric unit at University Hospital Galway on April 24.

Bernard Gloster made the critical comments at the regional health forum meeting on Tuesday, the same day Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) began an official ‘work to rule’ at UHG. Nearly 90% of staff in the Galway West Mental Health Services voted in favour of industrial action at the acute psychiatric unit over health and safety concerns.

Mr Gloster did not refer to this week’s official industrial action other than to call on the PNA to enter into talks with the HSE at the Labour Relations Commission.

“We cannot countenance a situation where nurses turn up for work and without notice do not go on the floor. It’s unsafe – it cannot be done . . . as an employer and as a service provider it cannot be countenanced . . . that type of action is wholly unacceptable . . . it is unacceptable, unsafe and certainly not in the best interest of patient care, or in the interest of health and safety,” he said.

He indicated that if the HSE was to ignore the unofficial action, it would be setting a precedent for industrial relations in psychiatric units across the country, which could not be countenanced.

Mr Gloster said the dispute had “nothing to do with Ballinasloe” and the closure of a 22-bed acute psychiatric unit at St Brigid’s, in response to claims from councillors Tim Broderick and Catherine Connolly that the two issues were linked.

The health forum unanimously backed a motion proposed by Cllr Connolly calling for an urgent report on what steps have been taken by the HSE West to remedy the position in the psychiatric unit given the health and safety concerns of staff and given the ongoing concerns of the Mental Health Commission.

Cllr Connolly told the forum that the Mental Health Commission had “repeatedly highlighted” issues at the unit, in particular the lack of psychologists and occupation therapists working there.

She said the commission also highlighted other issues at the psychiatric unit including the failure to have up to date individual patient care plans, the physical inadequacy of the building, the failure to open the newly constructed High Observation Unit and the failure to have up to date policies.

Cllr Connolly described Mr Gloster’s comments in relation to the unofficial action as ‘unhelpful’ and ‘out of character’ for him.

And she agreed with Cllr Broderick who directly linked the health and safety problems at the psychiatric unit at UHG with the closure of a 22-bed facility at Ballinasloe.