Health unions staged a protest at Letterkenny University Hospital today over staff shortages caused by the HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy.
Braving the freezing weather and snow, members of SIPTU, Forsa and the INMO marched outside the hospital this lunchtime.
Staff are protesting to highlight the fact that, despite talk of record-breaking levels of investment in the public health service, they are not seeing the benefit.
Unions say that the HSE’s recent Pay and Numbers Strategy removed vital posts across the health service, and prevents healthcare facilities from recruiting staff to fill posts that have become vacant this year.
SIPTU Organiser, Ciaran Sheridan, 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’s policy on recruitment is not fit for purpose and places an effective embargo on the recruitment of staff in certain areas.”
Sheridan added: “We believe that this approach needs to be reviewed so we can have meaningful, local engagement with the employer to resolve local recruitment issues where they are arising.”
SIPTU Health Division members protesting at Letterkenny University Hospital today. Image : @siptuhealth
