Psychiatric nurses in a ward in St Brendan's Hospital, Dublin, have gone on strike because of what they describe as the poor structural condition of the building and the increase in physical assaults and aggression.
SIPTU, the nurses' union, said it was concerned at the overcrowding, the patient profile, the poor structural condition and the "deplorable level of decoration and refurbishment in this facility".
The union added: "These concerns are a contributing factor to a recent increase in recorded incidents of physical assault/aggression experienced by nurses working in this area."
Mr Jim Mullery, of SIPTU, criticised the Eastern Health Board for not making adequate funding available. "The only response by the Eastern Health Board to date has been to transfer some patients from this facility to other areas of the service."
The Eastern Health Board, in its response, said it would like to reassure relatives that the small number of patients in this ward unit were receiving first-class care and had not been affected by the dispute. They were being cared for by senior nurse management staff.
Over the last five years most patients have been moved to accommodation in the community and other accommodation more suitable to their needs. The board plans to have all facilities replaced by the year 2000.
The EHB said the transfer of patients was continuing and discussions were going on with the unions in an effort to reach a settlement.