Where are the jobs advertised by HSE?

RECENTLY I heard a radio advert from the HSE promoting the “challenges of a career with the health service” and advising listeners to check out its website for vacancies.

There I found 12 jobs for staff nurses for the entire country. None was in Dublin and six were in Cork.

With many newly-qualified physiotherapists, speech therapist and occupational therapists unable to find work, I checked appropriate vacancies for these medical professionals. There was none.

At a meeting I attended subsequently about the state of the health services, a nurse at Tallaght hospital told me there were six unfilled physiotherapy posts there.

Can someone explain why the HSE is spending our taxes advertising these almost non-existent vacancies?

The challenge is not to work in the health service — it’s to get a job in the health service in the first place.

Enid O’Dowd

34 Moyne Road

Ranelagh

Dublin 6