Concern raised over number of vacant posts in Mayo University Hospital
Castlebar councillor told by HSE that almost 50 nursing and midwifery positions remaining vacant in MUH
A MAYO councillor has expressed concern at the number of staff vacancies in Mayo University Hospital with almost 50 nursing and midwifery positions remaining vacant.
Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne expressed concern at the vacancy figures in Mayo University Hospital (MUH) at the HSE Regional Health Forum West meeting where it was revealed that there is a 5 percent shortfall of staff to run the hospital.
The Castlebar-based councillor was informed that there are 85 full-time equivalent vacant posts across different departments in MUH after submitting a question requesting the number of staff vacancies in the hospital and the categories of staff.
“The reason I'm asking the question is because if there is say 1,700 [staff in MUH], then that means that you're short 5 percent of the staff to run the hospital,” he said. “Within nursing and midwifery, you're 50 people short, and that's a lot, I would say.”
Ann Cosgrove, the HSE Integrated Health Area Manager for Roscommon and Galway defended the vacancy figures saying that there is always a level of turnover of staff within the health system which is around the 5 percent mark.
“It's just the nature of the people moving on, getting promoted and posts becoming vacant. So there's always a level of turnover within the hospital system. It is certainly slower at the moment because we are challenged in terms of our pay bill, etc. But there is always a level of turnover of staff within the health system,” she said.
Cllr Kilcoyne also questioned if the HSE in the west will be affected by comments made recently by the Minister of Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure regarding trying to rein in spending in recruitment.
Ms Cosgrove explained that over the last month, vacant posts have to go through an approval process and this includes approval by the CEO of the HSE. However, she explained they have yet to be notified regarding the statement by the ministers.
“In terms of the statement in the last week, we are not yet sure what that further escalation will be. That hasn't been notified to us yet. We expect it to be notified in the coming weeks. But as it stands at the moment, posts for approval go through, across the country and not just necessarily ourselves, go up to the CEO of the HSE,” she said.
Cllr Kilcoyne expressed concern at this recruitment process saying he was sceptical that the CEO in Dublin would be 'greatly concerned' regarding vacancies in Castlebar or Galway.
“I think they would be more concerned about a vacancy that was arising down the street in the Mater or St James's [Hospital],” he said.
However, Ms Cosgrove replied saying their job is to advocate for the region and putting forward posts in hospitals in the west.
During the discussion, Mary Warde, the HSE Integrated Health Area Manager for Mayo reassured Cllr Kilcoyne that recruitment is ongoing within the system and they were awaiting approval from the chief executive to complete the recruitments.