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2010

HSE WEST VACANCIES CAUSING SERIOUS GAPS IN SERVICES – ESPECIALLY FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN

Date Released: 26 Jul 2010

The number of Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) nursing and midwifery posts in HSE West fell by over 380 in the two years ending December 31st, 2009, according to an internal report conducted by the organisation which has been seen by SIPTU. The moratorium on recruitment has hit frontline services hardest with 67 per cent of vacancies occurring in this area, as opposed to 33 per cent from management and specialist grades. SIPTU National Nursing Official Louise O’Reilly says, “The situation has worsened significantly in the seven months that have passed since the data was collected on which the survey was based”.

A similar pattern to that shown in general medical services emerges in the public health and mental health nursing service. In Public Health 94 per cent of vacancies were for PHNs or Registered General Nurses. Meanwhile Mental Health Services reported the highest percentage of WTE nursing posts vacant at 25 per cent in the Mid-West area and 18 per cent in the North-West and West of the Region.

“These figures are extremely worrying”, Ms O’Reilly said today. “And like a lot of averages they hide some very serious deviations from the norm that are stretching services to breaking point. For instance, 32 per cent of mental health nursing positions were vacant in Clare.

“Even the relatively low WTE vacancy rate of five per cent for acute medical services obscures situations such as the 23 per cent vacancy rate in the Regional Orthopaedic Hospital, Croom, in the Mid-West. In Galway the Public Health Nurse vacancies are running at 25 per cent WTE equivalents.”The HSE survey reveals a direct impact on patient care services, including:

  • A ‘notable increase in incident forms relating to clinical practice, some of which are associated with staff shortages’
  • Difficulties meeting HIQA standards in critical areas such as infection control
  • Inability to ensure mandatory education courses are being completed on time
  • Staff shortages in maternity services leading to increased risk in areas such as caesarean sections and induction of labour procedures
  • Inability to provide continuing professional development to all midwives
  • An increase in violent incidents in the mental health services
  • Disruption of consistent treatment and mentoring for psychiatric patients
  • Complete lack of service in some Public Health Nursing areas
  • Reduced service to post natal mothers and their babies
  • 68 per cent of school screening targets unmet
  • 53 per cent of MMR vaccinations and 96 per cent of BCG vaccination targets unmet
  • Staff engaging in additional hours of work leading to increased health and safety risks
  • Non-compliance with the EU Working Time Directive




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