Union rejects report psychiatric patients mistreated

The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) said this evening there was no evidence to suggest nursing staff were responsible for inflicting injuries on patients in two mental health units in south Tipperary.

PNA deputy general secretary Seamus Murphy said a "slur" had been created following the leaking of details of a Mental Health Commission report into care at St Michael's Unit in South Tipperary General Hospital and in St Luke's Hospital in Clonmel.

The report - which is believed to be nearing completion - investigated concerns about injuries to 19 patients at the units between July 2002 and January 2004.

However, Mr Murphy said an independent orthopaedic surgeon had reviewed the case in 2006 and found no evidence to suggest the injuries had been inflicted by psychiatric nursing staff. Some of the injuries could have been pre-existing and others self-inflicted, Mr Murphy said.

"All this inquiry did was repeat what a manager said and what the consultant orthepedic surgeon said. There was never a proper inquiry,” he added.

"The thing has been blown out of all proportion. There was no inquiry to establish any of those injuries were inflicted by members of staff.”

He said a draft report circulated in June 2007 had identified 117 issues but only contained 11 recommendations. Most of the issues related to the lack of resources, he said.

"This is disgraceful that on basis of supposition, where they didn't know if these injuries were self-inflicted or if they were existing injuries, it has created a slur on the whole service,” said Mr Murphy.

"Patients are going to be upset, their families are going to be upset and the people that I represent are going substantially upset."

He said his organisation had only become aware of an issue surrounding injuries in January 2007.