Labour has expressed concerns on the decision to amalgamate the Female Open Unit in St Brendan's Hospital, Grangegorman.

Joe Costell TD blasted the verdict as "unacceptable".

He said: "There are thirteen women in the open unit and nine in the high security unit at present. Serious health and safety issues will arise for patients and staff alike as the open unit will be closed down and only the closed high security unit will remain to cater for all female patients."

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Staff have contacted management, their union and the Labour Court about the unacceptable situation being presented to them as workers and carers. They will refuse to co-operate in the transfer of the patients from the open to the closed unit.

The Minister concluded: "The mix of high risk and low risk patients is contrary to all medical practice and could, indeed, prove dangerous for staff and patients. The HSE should find a way to maintain best medical practice either through overtime or by providing additional temporary staff. If the HSE are not prepared to find a best practice solution then I believe the Minister should intervene to ensure that the "Open" unit is not closed."

(CD)