Mental health nurses at St Lukes Kilkenny now at breaking point

The Psychiatric Nurses Association says it will have to consider industrial action if vacancies at St Luke’s Hospital for Carlow-Kilkenny aren’t filled.

The PNA say at the moment there are 12 nursing posts empty in the Acute Mental Health Unit of the local hospital, with a further four retirements happening soon.

Michael Hayes, Industrial Relations Officer with the PNA says staff there are “running on empty”.

And he told KCLR News the pressure has intensified over the past number of weeks with a high level of overcrowding at the hospital.