Labour Court recommends HSE process Senior Staff Nurse applications when moratorium allows

The Labour Court said the Health Service Executive should process Senior Staff Nurse applications once the public sector moratorium allowed, in a recommendation signed on 1 November 2010. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Psychiatric Nurses Association and Services Industrial Professional Trade Union sought reinstatement of the agreement covering the grade. They said it recognised long-serving nurses who wished to remain in direct patient care, rather than serving as a conventional promotion. The Court said nurses reaching 20 years’ service could reasonably expect the agreement’s terms to continue to apply. The HSE said it remained committed to the agreement but could not process applications because of the moratorium. The Court said the Government had to interpret the moratorium and suggested that the parties approach the relevant departments for further discussion.