HSE pauses applications for all management and administrative roles
HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said they have already exceeded recruitment figures.
The HSE has paused all applications for new and replacement posts for all management and administrative roles, starting from Wednesday, as concern grows about health spending.
A memo sent by HSE CEO Bernard Gloster to division heads and managers across the HSE including the ambulance and nursing services, and seen by the , says this is because they have already exceeded recruitment figures for this sector.
Trade union sources on Thursday confirmed their members will take industrial action starting from Friday in response to the shock decision by Mr Gloster.
In his memo, sent on October 4, Mr Gloster wrote: “All applications for new and replacement posts at all grades of Management and Administration are temporarily paused as of today, except for those whereby there is a contractual obligation entered into with a candidate.”
The memo says temporary measures put in place in late May and late July are now extended “with immediate effect”.
The decision follows shock at a potential over-spend of €1bn in this year’s health budget.
The memo also acknowledges the “important role” played by management in keeping the health services running.
“I wish to acknowledge and reiterate, as I set out in previous memos, the substantial contribution of our management and administration staff across all of our services and the vital role that they play in supporting day-to-day service delivery to our patients and service users,” Mr Gloster said.
However, he pointed to the high level of recruitment in the area as an issue now, saying there has been “substantial and unprecedented investment” which “we as a health service has made in these roles”.
The memo goes on to state:
“With net growth of +5,960 WTE (whole-time equivalent) representing a +31.6% net growth over December 2019 employment levels,” referring to the whole-time-equivalent of full-time staff numbers.
“This level of growth at +31.6% is unparalleled in any other staff category, and at August, Management and Administration growth year to date for 2023 exceeded the total year’s growth in 2022 at 1,650 WTE compared to 1,574 WTE.”
He added: “There is however a need to ensure that we strike a fine balance between recruitment performance, market availability and the financial control framework to ensure we deliver the appropriate mix and blend of skills across our workforce,” he cautions staff.
The memo states the decision is applicable to all HSE Statutory Services, Voluntary Hospitals and Voluntary Agencies.
HSE officials are addressing the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday, and they are expected to face questions about the budget overspend.
The trade union Forsa — which represents thousands of managers and administrators — has previously raised serious concerns about the temporary measures put in place earlier this year, and had balloted members in July on this issue.
The union and the HSE attended talks before the Workplace Relations Commission last month on this issue.
It is believed members are being contacted throughout the day on Thursday to firm up what form the industrial action will take, and it is expected to begin this week.
