Sinn Féin Mental Health Spokesperson, Mark Ward TD, has called on Government to lift the HSE recruitment embargo for mental health staff, supporting the calls made by the Psychiatric Nursing Association (PNA).

The Psychiatric Nursing Association members have voted for industrial action over staff shortages and its effect on mental health services.

Teachta Ward said:

“This week the Psychiatric Nurses Association have voted for industrial action over the effects the HSE recruitment embargo is having on mental health services across the state.

“The PNA have said that many of our services, including the likes of CAMHS, are reliant on overtime or agency staff to operate. They have described this situation as unsustainable.

“They have voted for industrial action because they say that mental health services are at a ‘critical point’ and that services across the country could be at risk of closing.

“This should be a wake-up call for Simon Harris and Stephen Donnelly. Staff are stretched and worn out. The service user is being affected and they and their families are at further risk as long as the recruitment embargo is in place.

“There are over 700 vacant positions in mental health services, this is having an impact on the delivery of interventions for people in need.

“This week we saw the Mental Health Commission publish their annual report with alarming findings that related to the time before the embargo was put in place.

“Derogations from the recruitment embargo can be sought by the HSE, but we need the political will from Government to push this forward.

“The Psychiatric Nursing Association members did not take this decision lightly and have the overall care of their patients at the forefront.

“We need action now, for the services users in need but also for the staff that are delivering those services. The recruitment embargo needs to be lifted without delay.”