News Archive

HSE must publish a contingency plan to deal with staff cutbacks

Date Released: 25 January 2012

SIPTU has called on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to immediately publish a contingency plan to deal with the effect on the public health service of the retirement of 3,560 staff by 29th February, 2012.

“The health service is facing a major reduction in staff as part of the terms of the Croke Park Agreement to reduce overall public service numbers. SIPTU has asked the HSE on a number of occasions to publish a detailed contingency plan outlining how the public health service will deal with a reduction of staff numbers of 3,650 between September 2011 and the end of next month. They have yet to provide this,” said SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell.

SIPTU has estimated that among those retiring from the Health Service are 1,700 nursing staff.

Paul Bell said; “The biggest impact will be felt in the provision of mental health and community services as well as in general hospitals. The HSE service plan for this year is showing a reduction of 8% in expenditure in all areas bar mental health. The reduction in spending and staff numbers will definitely impact on frontline public health services and the public must be informed what areas will be prioritised.”