Threat of industrial action over proposal to shed 300 health service staff

INDUSTRIAL action is looming in the HSE’s Mid-West region over management plans to get rid of up to 300 health service staff on temporary contracts.

IMPACT trade union, which represents a number of the staff, said it had been informed by HSE management that a €35 million deficit existed in the mid-West. The union said it was told the deficit was due to a decision by the HSE to reduce overall financial allocations to HSE West and the fact that more patients are being treated within smaller budgets.

A range of proposals were made by management on how the shortfall could be addressed.