Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD95344 Case Number: LCR14918 Section / Act: S26(1) Parties: MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD - and - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION;PSYCHIATRIC NURSES' ASSOCIATION |
Staffing levels in high support hostel.
Recommendation:
Based on the Board's reassurance on the method of selection of the
residents for Rathdowney, and that no patients/residents will be
admitted directly to the facility, the Court recommends that the
Unions accept the proposed staffing.
If the situation outlined above changes, then the Board must
review the manning arrangements.
Division: Mr Flood Mr Pierce Mr Walsh
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD95344 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR14918
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990
SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990
PARTIES:
MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD
AND
SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION
PSYCHIATRIC NURSES' ASSOCIATION
SUBJECT:
1. Staffing levels in high support hostel.
BACKGROUND:
2. The dispute concerns the staffing level at night in the
proposed high support hostel in Rathdowney, which is
approximately 26 miles from Portlaoise. The Board is
proposing a staff of one nurse and one care
assistant/attendant. The Unions are seeking a staff of 2
nurses and one attendant.
The dispute was referred to the Labour Relations Commission
and a conciliation conference took place on 23rd May, 1995.
No agreement was reached and the dispute was referred to the
Labour Court on 2nd June, 1995 in accordance with Section
26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court
hearing took place on 19th September, 1995 (the earliest date
suitable to the parties).
UNIONS' ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The hostel will have 16-18 former patients from St.
Fintan's Hospital, Portlaoise. It is necessary to have
2 qualified nurses who have experience with patient
care, particularly at night. Staff on night duty have
difficult situations to deal with e.g. psychiatric
emergencies, drug administration etc. In the case of an
assault, one nurse could not deal with the situation.
2. The Unions' request for 2 nurses is in keeping with
other high support hostels throughout the Country. If
an emergency arises in other centres, all the required
services can be called. This is not the case in
Rathdowney because of its isolated position. There is
no Garda presence in the area.
BOARD'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The residents of the Hostel in Rathdowney will be former
long-stay and new long-stay patients from St. Fintan's
Hospital in Portlaoise. They will be known to the staff
in Rathdowney. There will be no patients admitted
directly to Rathdowney.
2. If, in the future, it is necessary to change the
staffing arrangements in Rathdowney, the Board will be
willing to review the situation. At present the Board
believes that one nurse and one attendant are sufficient
for night duties.
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the Board's reassurance on the method of selection of the
residents for Rathdowney, and that no patients/residents will be
admitted directly to the facility, the Court recommends that the
Unions accept the proposed staffing.
If the situation outlined above changes, then the Board must
review the manning arrangements.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
3rd October, 1995 Finbarr Flood
C.O'N/D.T. _______________
Deputy Chairman
Note
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to
Mr. Ciaran O'Neill, Court Secretary.