Mental health workers on strike

Ms Reissmann was found guilty of gross misconduct by the trust

About 150 community psychiatric nursing staff in Manchester are starting indefinite strike action.

It follows the dismissal of mental health nurse Karen Reissmann who was suspended in June for allegedly bringing a health trust into disrepute.

She was found guilty of gross misconduct by Manchester's Mental Health and Social Care Trust on Monday.

The staff who are striking carry out home and work visits. The trust says contingency plans are in place.

A Unison spokesman has said they were disappointed in the dismissal decision, but that it planned to appeal.

Series of strikes

Since June about 700 Unison members have staged a series of strikes over Ms Reissman's suspension.

She claimed she was suspended for speaking out against job cuts and government policies.

The NHS trust has said it is a private employment matter.

The chief executive for the trust Sheila Foley had said she believed it was "the right decision to take and is being taken in the best interest of the trust and the patients we care for".