SIPTU representatives have told a hearing of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health that the HSE policy on recruitment is a ‘blunt instrument’ which if implemented in its current form will not improve public health services to the extent necessary.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Damian Ginley, said: “The Union emphasised the challenges many grades are facing regarding recruitment and retention of vital staff, despite talk of record-breaking investment in the HSE workforce.
“Our submission at the Committee concentrated on highlighting key issues of concern for SIPTU members relating to staffing levels within the HSE. As the country’s largest trade union, that represents a large cohort of grades within the public health service, we advised Oireachtas members that we feel a safe staffing framework for all grades of staff should be developed to ensure quality care for patients.”
“We highlighted the fact that, despite talk of record-breaking levels of investment in the public health service, certain front-line roles have not benefitted to the same extent as others from that increased investment. Given the delivery of modern healthcare requires a multi-disciplinary approach, we are of the view that more has to be done to invest in these roles.”
SIPTU emphasised the areas of the service which, according to the HSE’s employment census data, have not received adequate investment from a workforce perspective.
Ginley added: “For example, SIPTU’s Allied Health Professionals Sector Committee previously highlighted that 30% more Radiation Therapists are needed within our health services and the lack of these professionals is leading to increased delays in cancer treatments. This staffing crisis has led to at least four cancer treatment machines not being utilised. These machines could treat around thirty patients a day, meaning there may be as many as 120 cancer cases not being dealt with daily due to staffing deficits.”
SIPTU also highlighted staffing deficits identified in the National Ambulance Service, radiography, support services and in the Health Care Support Assistant (formerly Home Help) workforce.