Lunchtime protest over staff shortages at Mulllingar hospital

Members of Fórsa, the INMO, SIPTU and the MLSA joined a lunchtime protest, part of a campaign in opposition to the HSE Pay and Number’s Strategy today, Thursday November 21, at the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar.

Staffing levels in the HSE are a major concern for them, they said today.

SIPTU organiser, Graham Macken, said: “Our members are deeply frustrated at the lack of recruitment in certain areas of the hospital and across the region. They are concerned about the potential impact on services.

“It is clear to them that the HSE policy on recruitment places an effective embargo on the recruitment of staff in certain areas.

“We believe that approach needs to be reviewed so we can have meaningful, local engagement with the employer to resolve local recruitment issues where they are arising.”

Spokesperson for Fórsa said that the suppression of health posts is adversely affecting services to older people, in addition to community and acute services and mental health services.

The protest in Mullingar follows protests in Cavan, Cork, Clonmel, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Letterkenny, Offaly, Sligo, Tralee and Tuam.

Protests are planned for Portlaoise and Dublin next week.

Fórsa members at HSE employments have been voting in a ballot for industrial action since mid-October. The ballot concludes next Tuesday, November 26.

The union spokespeson said pressures on services will get worse as demand rises in the winter, while existing staff are forced to cope with insufficient numbers in most departments.

Olajide Ogidan, an official with the Fórsa’s Health and Welfare division, said continuing employment restrictions are putting patient services under enormous strain: “Our extensive survey of Fórsa members in health revealed the real struggles they are facing to deliver services.

“Waiting lists continue to grow, and it’s having a significant impact on our members and on the people of Westmeath who rely on our health services.

“Our members have spoken clearly. This situation can’t be allowed to continue.

“Members are balloting now on industrial action because the HSE won’t engage with us. From here in Mullingar we are sending another reminder to the HSE that our members’ ability to deliver safe services has been severely compromised.

“When we stand together our voices can’t be ignored,” he said.