DELEGATES at the Psychiatric Nurses' Conference voted to ballot for industrial action yesterday because of shortcomings in their injury compensation scheme.
The PNA wants a scheme similar to that operated for gardai injured while on duty. According to Mr Des Kavanagh, secretary of the PNA, gardai may go to the High Court to be compensated and need not prove liability.
Mr Kavanagh gave delegates the example of a psychiatric nurse in his early 40s who was assaulted by a patient a year ago and had been on sick leave since then. Married with two children, he would go on half pay next month, having been on full pay and premiums for six months and full pay alone for the second half of the year.
"We cannot emphasise strongly enough our determination to ensure that if a member is assaulted and injured while on duty, the employers will be responsible for their care, medical treatment and salaries. Goodwill gestures do not pay medical expenses," said Mr Ned Larkin of the PNA.