Health Workers, Including Nurses, Set to Strike Over Employment and Staffing Issues
Dublin: Healthcare workers across Ireland, including nurses, are preparing for strike action in an effort to address several pressing issues, particularly regarding staffing and employment. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and trade union FORSA are spearheading the movement, with union members scheduled to vote on the strike from October 14. Ahead of the vote, lunchtime protests will begin next week to raise awareness of the ongoing challenges.
Over 2,000 Vacancies Remain Unfilled
A key concern for the unions is the over 2,000 nursing and midwifery positions that have gone unfilled, largely due to a recruitment freeze imposed by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The INMO has emphasised that the critical shortage of healthcare staff is severely impacting patient care, with both patient and worker safety at risk. Staff are reportedly overworked, compromising their own health to ensure patient care, yet the HSE has failed to take effective action.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha expressed frustration over the lack of progress, stating that, under the current circumstances, the unions feel they have no choice but to proceed with strike action.
Hundreds of Indian Healthcare Workers Await Entry
Among those affected by Ireland’s healthcare recruitment challenges are hundreds of Indian nurses and other healthcare workers, who are awaiting entry into the country after receiving NMBI (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) registration and decision letters. Despite these qualifications, their entry into the workforce has been delayed, further exacerbating the staffing crisis.
FORSA Warns of Worsening Crisis
FORSA has echoed concerns, warning that the healthcare crisis is likely to deteriorate in the coming months if action is not taken. FORSA’s Health and Welfare representative, Ashley Connolly, stressed that staff safety is increasingly at risk due to the shortages, and immediate solutions are needed.
HSE Opposes Strike Plans
In response, the HSE has opposed the unions’ decision to strike, highlighting that an additional €1.5 billion has already been allocated to the healthcare sector for 2024, with a further €1.2 billion increase planned for 2025. A spokesperson for the HSE expressed disappointment at the unions’ strike plans, noting that recruitment for 2,350 new healthcare positions has already commenced. However, the spokesperson acknowledged that recruitment must remain within authorised limits.
Despite these measures, the unions argue that more substantial and immediate action is required to alleviate the ongoing staffing shortages, and the strike remains on the horizon unless significant improvements are made.
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