Health Sector Organiser Liz Cloherty spoke at the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee on 20th May following a submission on “Staff Morale in the HSE”.
At the hearing, Cloherty called for a safe staffing policy to be developed for all grades within the health services, recognition of the important work undertaken by our members, and the development of career progression opportunities to tackle low morale and workforce retention.
“The HSE Pay & Numbers Strategy provides a ceiling once budget and WTE employment levels are reached.
“While the budget has now transferred into the six health regions, it has been our experience that discretion is being used to prioritise some grades over others and is effectively placing certain categories of staff at risk of outsourcing due to this strategy.”
SIPTU Health Division represents over 42,000 members, who provide an invaluable service working in both public and private healthcare settings across Ireland.
Our membership includes Health Care Assistants, Support Staff, Mental Health Nursing, Allied Health Professionalsand the National Ambulance Service.
“Many factors can lead to low staff morale in the workplace,” Cloherty said in the submission.
“It is imperative we collaboratively engage to ensure staff feel safe, supported and valued, which will ultimately result in a better health service in Ireland.”