HEALTH workers have voted to strike over the suspension of a union official.

Almost 90 per cent of staff who took part in the ballot voted to walkout of Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust over the treatment of senior psychiatric nurse Karen Reissmann.

They are now calling for an inquiry into the management of the struggling trust after Ms Reissmann was suspended for allegedly bringing its reputation into disrepute. About 600 of the 1,500 staff agreed to strike on August 29, 30 and 31.

The trust, which was recently ranked as providing the third worst community psychiatric care in the country, by a Government's health watchdog, this week put on hold controversial reorganisation plans, including staff cuts. Ms Reissmann and Unison have been campaigning for the concessions for the last two years.

Frank Margison, one of the key figures in the reorganisation, resigned as the trust's Medical Director and a patient group has sent a letter of protest demanding a public inquiry to health secretary Alan Johnson.

Angry

Unison regional officer, Andy Gill said: "Trust bosses should take this as an indication of just how angry our members are. We demand they reverse the suspension of Karen."

The strike will include nurses, administration workers and occupational therapists working in hospital and community psychiatric services across Manchester.

Sheila Foley, from the trust, said: "I would like to reassure patients and carers that we will continue to provide them with responsive services and we will continue to talk to our staff and their representatives."

She said a plan was in place to minimise the impact of the action and she was disappointed that vote had gone ahead before the trust had finished its investigation into the charges against Ms Reissmann.

Ms Reissmann, 48, from Hulme, has worked in Manchester for the last 25 years but trust bosses said they had lost confidence in her on the day she received a letter confirming her promotion to senior psychiatric nurse following a staff review.

Earlier this year, Ms Reissmann, who is based in north Manchester psychiatric unit, Park House, organised a series of protests by 250 staff against planned cuts, including two one-day strikes.

She said: "I am overwhelmed by the support of my colleagues, but it shows how strongly they feel they want a strong trade union, one which will stand up for workers and for the NHS."

Alan Hartman from patient group Manchester User Network said: "There are at least 30 complaints from patients requesting an investigation into why such an exemplary nurse has been suspended."

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