SIPTU members have reached agreement with St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services on a Labour Court recommendation allowing for the deployment of Health Care Assistants (HCAs) within the service. SIPTU Health Organiser, Aideen Carberry, said: "Following lengthy discussions SIPTU representatives have reached agreement with St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services on the deployment of the first ever group of Health Care Assistants in the service. The agreement ensures our members who are deployed as HCAs will contribute to the direct care of service users and their role will complement the existing care they receive in St. Patrick’s. “The agreement also contains an upskilling programme for other members in support services who may wish to pursue a career as a Health Care Assistant and commits the employer to engaging in a meaningful review process which will look at staffing levels in the future.” Aideen Carberry confirmed that management had initially refused to implement the Labour Court recommendation but following a ballot in which the majority of SIPTU members voted for industrial action, it entered discussions with union representatives on the recommendation.
SIPTU reaches agreement with St Patrick’s Mental Health Services on health care assistants
