Nurses must show up to work on March 24, warns HSE

THE country’s biggest nursing union remains on a collision course with management at Cork’s new maternity hospital threatening to scupper its opening date of March 24.

Yesterday, the Health Service Executive (HSE) assistant national director of human resources, Barry O’Brien, warned nurses they were under contract to show up for work on that date.

“Clearly the position is they are employees of the HSE and the only place where we’ll be operating maternity services from March 24 is at the Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH). The nurses have no option but to show.”

The Irish Nurses’ Organisation (INO) last night held an emergency meeting to discuss their concerns in relation to the new hospital. The union argues staffing levels at the new 144-bed facility are inadequate.

However, Mr O’Brien and the CUMH commissioning manager, former midwife Nora Geary, insist staffing levels are safe. The optimum number of nurses was set at 383 in proposals sent to the Department of Health. The number for which funding has been secured is 304 midwives, 64 student midwives and 7.5 nursery nurses, totalling 375. In addition, each ward will have a ward clerk to carry out administrative duties nurses have traditionally had to deal with, Mr O’Brien said.

A dedicated portering service will also be available.

The INO believes including the 64 student midwives in the staff tally is unacceptable given they are not fully qualified. The INO is also seeking a relocation payment of between €4,000 and €5,000 for each of its members. Mr O’Brien said the INO had suggested this money could be paid from the sale of the Erinville.

However, yesterday Mr O’Brien said the Erinville had been identified by the HSE as the possible location of a new step-down facility for the elderly, and therefore might not be sold.

Other unions representing staff who will work at the new hospital have already accepted a labour court recommendation that they accept the HSE’s offer of an extra day’s annual leave. The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) recently agreed to fast track a meeting to hear arguments from both the INO and the HSE. It is scheduled to take place on February 21.

Nurses are also disgruntled over the lack of parking facilities at the hospital. Basement parking will cater for 100 visitors, but no extra spaces have been provided for staff. A free park-and-ride facility will operate from St Finbarr’s.