Health unions vote for industrial action over continuing staff shortages

More than 72,000 healthcare workers are involved, between the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the Fórsa Health and Welfare Division.

Members of both of the major health workers' unions are to ask their executives to endorse a plan for industrial action over the coming weeks.

More than 72,000 healthcare workers are involved, between the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the Fórsa Health and Welfare Division.

Members of both unions have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action following what they say is the "continued suppression and non-filling of vacant posts in the public health service".

They are now in the planning stage of a dispute. 

Other trade unions, including Connect Trade Union, Unite, and the Medical Laboratory Scientist Association, have also voted for industrial action.

The move comes just days after the publication of the HSE service plan for 2025.

The plan details spending of €26.9bn, aiming to reduce waiting times, improve health outcomes, improve services for people with a disability, and to continue digitalising health services.

HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster admitted in the plan "there are considerable challenges facing us".

Speaking on Thursday, the president of the INMO Caroline Gourley said the mandate was being taken "extremely seriously".

The executive council will meet early next week to endorse a strategy for the proposed industrial action.

Ms Gourley said: "It is clear from the HSE’s service plan for 2025 that they intend to leave posts vacant and continue with their de-facto recruitment ban in the name of a pay and numbers strategy."

She urged the incoming government to enact the Patient Safety Bill, which is set to ensure hospitals and other health services meet certain standards to optimise patient safety.

The bill was referred to the Attorney General for drafting in 2018 and was still with that office as of November.

Ms Gourley added: "The new government must provide real measures to ensure safe staffing that delivers safe patients care. 

It is time to meaningfully engage with the health unions and give assurances that much needed posts that will ensure patient and staff safety will be filled.

Chair of the Fórsa Health and Welfare Division Clodagh Kavanagh added: "It is quite ironic that on the day the government announce a new programme for government setting out their intention to recruit more staff and reduce agency spend, that two of the largest health unions have had to meet to discuss industrial action plans. 

"Our mandate is clear and we will now work with our colleagues in the INMO and other health unions to ensure that the current disastrous staffing approach is challenged.”

Data from the INMO's 'Trolley Watch' campaign showed there were 605 admitted patients waiting for beds in Irish hospitals on Thursday morning — 381 patients in the emergency department and a further 224 in wards elsewhere in the hospital.

As has been the case for months, University Hospital Limerick (UHL) was the worst-affected hospital, with 110 patients waiting on a bed.

Cork University Hospital was also struggling, with 76 patients waiting on a bed, including 62 in the emergency department.