Lunchtime protests set for next week as unions prepare to ballot for action

Unite, which represents a range of grades across the Health Services Executive (HSE) said today (Thursday) that what it termed the HSE’s ‘backdoor hiring freeze’ is impacting on patient services and causing staff burnout.

The union was commenting ahead of lunchtime protests scheduled for next week.

In conjunction with other unions in the health sector, Unite will also be balloting for industrial action.

After the HSE claimed that it had lifted its recruitment ban, it has emerged that vacancies are being benchmarked against the 2024 headcount, with the result that any vacancies unfilled in 2023 have effectively been lost to the health service.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The HSE’s recruitment cap is simply a backdoor hiring freeze, magicking away long-standing vacancies in the hope that patients and workers won’t notice. 

“It is clear that staffing levels are unsafe, workers are burnt out, and the use of agency staff is increasing. Workers have no choice but to take action in defence of patient safety and their own working conditions”.

A recent survey of Unite members working for the HSE found the overwhelming majority reported that the number of vacancies in their department or team had remained the same since 31 December 2023.

Workers also highlighted the negative impact of staffing shortages both on patient services and on staff wellbeing:

• “Many uncovered shifts that, if not covered on overtime, result in a reduced number of ambulances on the road, thus increasing the workload significantly” – Paramedic

• “These positions filled by agency staff who are here today gone tomorrow. We don’t need fillers we need permanent team members dedicated to the needs of the residents” – Healthcare Assistant

• “Reduced capability to complete small projects, resulting in having to employ outside contractors” – Maintenance worker

• “Doubling of workload, exhausting on staff, draining on staff, and leads to sick leave. Which in turn adds more pressure on the staff” – Phlebotomist

• “Waiting on patients to be fed, sometimes four nurses to look after 20 patients, so it delays me from getting the trays back to the kitchen” – Catering worker

• “Very bad for physical and mental health as I’m made to work alone and cover a whole emergency department” – Healthcare Assistant

Regional officer Eoin Drummey said:

“Staffing pressures will only increase as we face into the winter.  Unions have exhausted all the avenues at their disposal and are now left with no option but to take decisive action. In addition to the lunchtime protests scheduled for next week, we will be balloting our members for industrial action in conjunction with other unions in the sector”.

ENDS

Lunchtime protests highlighting HSE staffing crisis

Wednesday 9 October

St Lukes Hospital, Kilkenny

Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown

Thursday 10 October

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda

Tullamore Regional Hospital

Wednesday 16 October

Cavan General Hospital

Sligo University Hospital

Tuam Primary Care Centre

Thursday 17 October

Naas General Hospital

Mayo University Hospital