Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 3

Written Answers. - Nursing Staff.

John Perry

Ceist:

359 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if the NWHB roster is such that registered psychiatric nurses in Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Services have to work 13 ten hour shifts in a 15 day period with the possibility of working a further 7 hour shifts on night duty with the result that the nurse may be required to work 20 shifts in a 23 day period; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that mothers working as registered psychiatric nurses with this service are unable to work the current roster and are forced to cut their hours by working reduced hours or on a job sharing basis in order to have some form of quality time with their families; his views on whether the roster referred to is inconsistent with the needs of a modern health service and is anti-women, anti-family and has the potential to compromise patient care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13013/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I have made inquiries with the North-Western Health Board and have been informed that the present roster system for psychiatric nurses with Sligo-Leitrim, West Cavan Mental Health Services is no longer capable of meeting the needs of a modern mental health service.

The North-Western Health Board is addressing the issue and has proposed a revised roster to both trade unions, PNA-SIPTU who represent psychiatric nurses in the region. To date one union has rejected the proposals and the issue is being addressed through the normal industrial relations mechanisms. It is the intention of the board to introduce revised rostering arrangements at an early date. The scenario as described can arise within the present rostering arrangements, however local nurse management facilitate staff with the opportunity to take days off or annual leave prior to commencing night duty.

On the provision of "job sharing" and "flexible working arrangements" within the mental health services, the North-Western Health Board provides the same opportunities to psychiatric nurses as other employees. By its very nature psychiatric nursing must be provided on a 24 hour, seven day a week basis. It is the policy of the board to facilitate staff where possible. The revised roster proposed by the board addresses inadequacies identified in the present system and will make a positive contribution to family friendly working arrangements. The new roster provides for psychiatric nurses to work no more than four consecutive days.

The suggestion that working arrangements for psychiatric nurses are anti-women and anti-family is incorrect. The North-Western Health Board is an equal opportunities employer and has been to the forefront in implementing family friendly working arrangements across all services. The impetus for changing the current rosters is to promote both patient care and staff welfare in a consistent manner.