Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD8747 Case Number: LCR11065 Section / Act: S67 Parties: HEALTH BOARDS - and - P.N.A.;FWUI;ITGWU |
Claim, on behalf of psychiatric nurses engaged in behavioural psychotherapy for an increase in salary.
Recommendation:
5. The Court, having considered the submissions made by the
parties is satisfied that behavioural therapy is an integral part
of psychiatric nursing. In this connection the Court has had
regard-among other things-to the role of psychiatric nurses as
defined by An Bord Altranais. In the circumstances, the Court
does not recommend concession of the Union's claim that management
should now recognise behavioural therapy as a distinct
specialisation. The Court, however, considers that the claim
should be taken in the overall context of the discussions which
management has stated will take place shortly, having regard to
the developing nature of the service and management's policy.
Division: Mr Fitzgerald Mr Collins Mr Devine
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD8747 THE LABOUR COURT LCR11065
CC861735 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11065
Parties: HEALTH BOARDS
(REPRESENTED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF NEGOTIATIONS' BOARD)
and
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
PSYCHIATRIC NURSES ASSOCIATION
FEDERATED WORKERS' UNION OF IRELAND
Subject:
1. Claim, on behalf of psychiatric nurses engaged in behavioural
psychotherapy for an increase in salary.
Background:
2. In December, 1984, the Department of Health published a
document entitled "Planning for the Future" which set out the
proposed future development of the psychiatric services. In
general, it is planned to move away from large scale institutional
care and to place a greater emphasis on community based care. At
present there are 5,700 psychiatric nurses employed by the Health
Boards. There are fifteen behavioural nurse psychotherapists.
Some of these nurses trained in Britain while others trained in
Ireland. The course which leads to a qualification in behavioural
psychotherapy is of six months' duration and one such course is
run at St. Conals' Hospital, Letterkenny, by An Bord Altranais.
Details of the work carried out by such behavioural nurse
psychotherapists were supplied to the Court. The Union, in early
1986, sought financial compensation on behalf of behavioural
psychotherapists for their additional qualifications/skills. This
claim was rejected on the basis that their pay as psychiatric
nurses takes account of such qualifications and skills. On 21st
October, 1986, the matter was referred to the conciliation service
of the Labour Court and a conciliation conference took place on
16th January, 1987, the earliest date suitable to the parties. No
agreement was reached, however, and the matter was referred to a
full hearing of the Labour Court. The hearing took place on 27th
February, 1987.
Union's arguments:
3. (i) The Union considers that management should recognise
behavioural psychotherapy as a distinct specialisation
within psychiatric nursing and should not deem it to be
merely an enhancement of existing duties.
(ii) The group with which the claimants should be linked is
the community nurse grade. There should also be a
special qualification allowance of #1,000 in
recognition of the additional training involved.
(iii) The payment claimed would be offset by the reduction in
the dependence on expensive hospitalisation.
(iv) Details of the work carried out by behavioural
psychotherapists were supplied to the Court.
(v) Promotional outlets for psychiatric nurses are mainly
confined to management and teaching. There is little
scope for promotion within the clinical field, thus
reducing the incentive for nurses to specialise and
enhance the service. Four therapists have been working
in this field for up to seven years without any further
recognition than staff nurse. In order to carry out
the therapy they found it necessary to forego night
duty, acting up positions and, in one case, two years'
community nursing. They are also required to take
holidays according to the recognised seniority list,
even though this may at times frustrate their delivery
of therapy to patients.
Management's arguments:
4. (a) Behaviour modification therapy is a methodology used by
many different disciplines and by many different grades
within disciplines in the mental handicap service and
in psychiatry.
(b) Behaviour therapy and behavioural aspects of psychiatry
are part of the training of the psychiatric nurse.
(c) The salary of a qualified psychiatric nurse takes
cognisance of the full range of duties which includes
involvement in therapeutic activities.
(d) In Labour Court Recommendation No. 5,731 the Court in
recommending a significant special increase stated that
this conceded all the justifiable aspirations of
psychiatric nurses. Nurses were engaged on these
therapies at that time.
(e) No allowances are paid to psychiatric nurses following
the many post registration and refresher courses that
it is now customary to take.
(f) There would be widespread repercussions from any form
of concession on this claim.
(g) In the context of the Health Boards' current financial
difficulties any concession of this claim can only
result in further reductions in psychiatric nursing
staff and a reduction of services to the public.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. The Court, having considered the submissions made by the
parties is satisfied that behavioural therapy is an integral part
of psychiatric nursing. In this connection the Court has had
regard-among other things-to the role of psychiatric nurses as
defined by An Bord Altranais. In the circumstances, the Court
does not recommend concession of the Union's claim that management
should now recognise behavioural therapy as a distinct
specialisation. The Court, however, considers that the claim
should be taken in the overall context of the discussions which
management has stated will take place shortly, having regard to
the developing nature of the service and management's policy.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Nicholas Fitzgerald
___________________________
Deputy Chairman
30th March, 1987
A.K./J.C.