Hospital row threatens to escalate strike action

UNREST brewing at one of the south east’s busiest hospitals could bring to 10 the number of industrial disputes at hospitals around the country.

The Irish Nurses Organisation started 2003 with a record caseload of nine theatre on-call disputes, but tensions at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny could escalate.

Staff at St Luke’s Hospital, as well as supporters of the hospital and local politicians, are angry at the hospital’s failure to recruit a long-promised consultant for the accident & emergency unit at the busy, 240-bed hospital.

The hospital has never had an A&E consultant, a SEHB spokesperson said, and despite an extensive advertising campaign, a suitable candidate has not been found.

“We got government approval to proceed with the appointment of a temporary A&E consultant.

“In 2001, our recruitment drive failed and we did not find a suitable candidate over the next year. We are now in discussion with the department to try to get a permanent post, as well as a team to back up that consultant,” the spokesperson added.

But former Mayor of Kilkenny and Fine Gael borough council member, Paul Cuddihy, said a consultant and support team must be appointed now, to safeguard the future of the A&E unit in Kilkenny.

“We all know the Department of Health does not have bottomless resources. But an A&E service is critical to Kilkenny and Carlow. The doctors and nurses working there are doing a fantastic job but they need the back-up of a consultant and a specialist team. Our fear is if this is not delivered to St Luke’s that we might get the thin end of the wedge and our service might be scaled down altogether, as is the case in Monaghan,” Mr Cuddihy said.

The Irish Nurses Organisation confirmed that action on any of the nine industrial disputes on its books has been shelved to allow for ongoing talks. Proposals mooted by either side are still under consideration. Nurses want more pay for being on call and want their hours regularised.

Chief among the hospitals affected by the dispute in the Mid-Western Health Board area are Limerick Regional Hospital as well as hospitals in Nenagh and Ennis.

Threatened action at Letterkenny over theatre arrangements there has also been averted for the time being. Talks to boost services at Monaghan are also continuing. The dispute there and the downgrading of services was highlighted by the tragic death of premature baby Bronagh Livingston.

Meanwhile, the Irish Medical Organisation also faces one of its busiest industrial relations seasons ahead. Non-consultant hospital doctors at key hospitals downed tools last year in dispute over new rostering arrangements.

Meetings about those rosters continue at the Labour Relations Commission. A spokesperson for the IMO said yesterday that it is anxiously awaiting the rostering and manpower task force report. It was due in November but is now expected in mid-February.