Confusion reigns over 100 temporary HSE jobs

Confusion reigns over 100 temporary HSE jobs at hospital


Rowan Gallagher

THE HSE has already decided to cut over 100 temporary jobs in Mayo General Hospital a full week before discussions with unions have finished, according to Castlebar Independent Councillor Michael Kilcoyne.
Last week, a decision was made to give a two week reprieve before any decision was made on staff cutbacks so Union officials could come up with alternative cost-cutting measures, although, according to the Castlebar councillor the decisions have already been made by the HSE.
“My understanding is that there will be more than 100 temporary staff lost as a result of the HSE West cutbacks. Some of these temporary staff have been working for as long as four years at the hospital. The staff may not have been told yet. These staff are directly related to patient care and this is also going to lead to further bed closures,” said Cllr Kilcoyne.
The Castlebar Cllr told The Mayo News that he has it on the highest authority that the staff will be cut and called on the leader of the opposition, Deputy Enda Kenny, to lead the campaign to stop the cutbacks and to ensure that when he comes into power that he will reverse the cuts.
Cllr Kilcoyne argued that Fianna Fail TDs, Beverley Flynn and Dara Clearrey, were the only people in a position to stop the cuts but wouldn’t do anything about it and also cited that front line staff would be cut and that no ‘self appointed’ senior administration staff would be cut.
As of yesterday (Monday) the HSE stated that no decision will be made until the deadline of August 31 has passed and unions were asked to meet locally with officials and staff in order to come up with alternative plans to cut costs and when these submissions are reviewed decisions will be made.
Councillor Eugene McCormack was sceptical of Cllr Kilcoyne’s statements and questioned the validity of his claims, citing that a week of negotiations were still to be carried out before any final decisions were to be made.
“ I hope they will try and reduce staff working hours rather than cut the jobs entirely. The HSE cut jobs like this in the past and when things picked up they found it very hard to fill the jobs again and it was an enormous loss,” Cllr McCormack told The Mayo News.
According to an Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) spokesperson the discussions are still ongoing and they hope to be able to cut costs and save jobs.
“We are definitely still in discussions, as of Friday 13 last it was decided that management locally would meet with unions and we are still in discussions with them. The HSE made the deadline in order to ensure that budgetary goals were met and any longer timeframe could have an adverse effect on the chances of reducing costs,” the INMO said.
When asked about the claims by Cllr Kilcoyne that the HSE had already made up its mind the INMO spokesperson stated that although it was just an opinion it is ‘very possible’.
“That is one mans opinion, it is very possible but we are acting in good faith with the HSE and we have already come up with cost containment plans. That isn’t to say there aren’t any issues, any one who says that there wouldn’t be adverse effects to services, if staff are cut, is either lying or talking rubbish. We are seeking to reduce any impact to all our members but couldn’t possibly say there won’t be an impact to services,” the INMO spokesperson concluded.
Union officials and HSE representatives are due to meet today, Tuesday 24, in order to come to a consensus on the cost containment measures that will be applied to Mayo General Hospital.