More Mental Health Nurses Needed

There are not enough mental health and learning disability nurses in Northern Ireland, the head of nursing at Queen’s University has said.

Professor Jean Orr said the Department of Health is running a recruitment campaign next month to address the issue.

There will also be a School of Nursing and Midwifery job fair at Queen’s on Wednesday.

Five new health trusts will be represented at the jobs fair.

Professor Orr said Queen’s University would welcome more applications for its mental health nursing courses.

“The university is working in partnership with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, who are running a campaign next month to increase numbers of mental health and learning disabilities nurses in these areas.

“The timing of this campaign will coincide with Queen’s recruitment advertisements for undergraduate nursing courses for 2008-09” she said.