Union talks on ‘massive’ HSE cutbacks

UNIONS representing health workers are to meet in emergency session today to decide on a joint response to the Health Service Executive’s massive cutbacks announcement.

Groups including the Irish Nurses Organisation, Irish Medical Organisation and the health sections of SIPTU and Impact will gather in a hotel outside Dublin as opposition mounts to the plan they say was sprung on them without warning.

They have also sought an urgent meeting of the staff and employers industrial relations forum, the Health Service National Joint Council, to discuss the implications of the plan which calls for an immediate freeze on recruitment in all hospitals and health facilities as well as a ban on new temporary and agency workers to cover absent staff.

Staff due back from career breaks will also be blocked from returning and overtime is prohibited.

General secretary of the Irish Nurses Organisation and joint secretary of the forum Liam Doran wrote to forum chairman Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission yesterday and said he hoped a meeting would take place early next week.

“We are asking for clarity and explanations about what exactly is proposed and what the implications are.

“It is my understanding that not even the managers of hospitals and health centres were aware of any of this until the circular was issued making orders with immediate effect.

“We want to know how the current level of health services are going to be maintained without locum cover and overtime, because they are essential for services now.”

The Health Service Executive (HSE) defended its action, blaming an overspend of €170 million, which it said was due mainly to fast-growing drugs costs, increased numbers of patients attending hospitals and enhanced care for elderly people.

Director of finances Liam Woods said the move was a “pause on recruitment” and said it would be reviewed at the end of the month.

“All our services have been expanded so there are no cuts or contraction of services. We are trying to protect the service level, not reduce the service level.” he said.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA), however, said the HSE was failing in its fundamental obligations to patients.

“This is going to impact on every hospital,” said assistant secretary general Donal Duffy. “If somebody goes on annual leave, maternity leave, examination leave or retires or resigns, they are not going to be replaced and the work they are doing will not get done.”

Mr Duffy said the move made a nonsense of the HSE’s recruitment drive for 60 new consultants.

“Our understanding is that it’s parked now. They might make offers of jobs but the consultants won’t be able to start work.”

Opposition parties also condemned the crisis.

“It appears the HSE cannot manage its own money and the decision of Minister Mary Harney to hand over full control of the health services has proven to be major mistake,” said Labour’s Liz McManus.