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Unions unite in response to HSE staff freeze

Date Released: 10 Sep 2007

Trade unions represented on the Health Service Staff Panel, which include SIPTU, IMPACT, and the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO), have written to the HSE today (Friday, September 7) seeking assurances that the recent freeze on staff appointments will not be allowed to affect the provision of essential health services.

In the letter, addressed to HSE Director of Human Resources Mr. Martin McDonald, the unions indicated that they have sought an emergency meeting of the Health Service National Joint Council on the issue.

At a meeting last night (September 6) the unions agreed to work together to oppose the HSE’s announcement on Tuesday (September 4) which instructs all agencies funded by the HSE to immediately cease all staff appointments. The HSE made the announcement in an apparent attempt to reduce overall expenditure before the end of the year.

The letter to the HSE outlines a broad range of critical services, which the unions say must not be affected, and therefore exempt, from the restrictions itemised in the HSE circular. Services highlighted by the unions include:

  • Critical Care – including intensive care, coronary care, theatres and acute admissions units
  • Accident and emergency departments;
  • Acute hospitals and continuing care services
  • Ambulatory care services and ambulance services
  • Community Services – including services to terminally ill patients, highly dependent older people and people with disabilities
  • Management services – including payroll, finance, IT, maintenance and support staff

Matt Merrigan, National Secretary of the Health Division with SIPTU explained that the lack of consultation by the HSE is in breach of existing agreements, “The failure of the HSE to engage with us on a decision that has such far reaching consequences is a matter of the utmost concern. We have sought an urgent meeting with the National Implementation Body (NIB) in order to address the implications for the delivery of health services and industrial relations within the health services

INO General Secretary, Liam Doran, said the HSE announcement required urgent and decisive action, “We have indicated to the HSE that we are available for an emergency meeting of the Health Service National Joint Council in order to discuss the HSE recruitment freeze. But, ahead of this meeting, we are anxious to receive an immediate and positive confirmation from the HSE that the services we have outlined will be exempt from their proposal.”

  • Kevin Callinan, National Secretary of the Health Division with IMPACT outlined the unions’ concerns, “We are unanimous in the view that the HSE’s decision will have a devastating effect on service provision. An immediate suspension like this, for which we had no warning, means that health services are facing into a period of extreme pressure and uncertainty which will directly affect everyone who needs these services."

    Other unions supporting the initiative by the Health Service Staff Panel include the craft group of unions, the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association, the ATGWU and the Irish Medical Organisation.




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