HSE warns it cannot fill vacancies even with agencies as staff shortage crisis deepens

The new data reveals that hospital spending on agency staff topped the table at €304.7m last year, followed by the €118.9m spent on older people’s services. Picture: iStock

The most vulnerable patients in the HSE — including those with a disability, older people, and those using mental health services — are increasingly being cared for by temporary agency staff, startling new figures show.

Staff shortages are so acute that the HSE has warned that at times it is unable to fill vacancies even with temporary staff as agencies are struggling to recruit health workers.