Additional Insurance for Psychiatric Nurses in Ireland

Susy Owen

Attorney

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A program providing additional insurance for psychiatric nurses in Ireland has finally been given the green light . The government said 'yes' to what would amount to additional, special insurance. The insurance will cover the nursing staff who are injured as a result of assaults by their patients.

Last year it was reported that assaults on nurses by psychiatric patients in their care had increased 47% since 2001. In 2005, 1,257 assaults were reported, and more than 140 psychiatric nurses needed more than three days of sick leave to recover form the injuries inflicted upon them.
As far back as 2003, a task force recommended a compensation plan, which, despite the obvious necessity, was never implemented.