Throughout the pandemic we repeatedly heard the sentiment that our healthcare workers were heroes, they were our frontline defence, they were essential.
How were they repaid for their work? A cost saving recruitment embargo at a time that the state had billions in surplus. This was in spite of ever increasing waiting lists.
In July 2024, the recruitment embargo was finally lifted but not before a new policy was introduced – the Pay and Numbers Strategy. This new policy is a staffing quota applied across the HSE. For St. Michael’s Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, for example, the staff quota is 421 persons.
This ceiling is determined not by hospital and patient needs but by budgetary decisions. The policy is effectively a new recruitment embargo. If the hospital has more staff than its quota, they are not permitted to replace any staff. Whether it’s a person retiring, taking maternity leave or sick leave no staff may be replaced.
One staff member describes the lived outcome the Pay and Numbers Strategy at the hospital:
Michael’s used to be known as the place where everyone was happy to come to work, people were happy in their jobs, the place where people had a smile on their face. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. I have never seen morale so bad in the place it wasn’t even this bad during COVID times. Staff are totally burnt out, demoralised, stressed and feel like we are not being heard! Current staffing levels are unsustainable and preventing us from providing safe, efficient patient care.
This staff quota applies to all members of staff including medical personnel, administration, catering and cleaning staff.
Workers report that this is resulting in inadequate staffing levels. Staff are being put under enormous stress, often being forced to cover multiple positions.
These shortages have adverse effects on both staff and patients in the hospital. It’s unacceptable that these unsafe staffing levels are being imposed.
15 years ago, St Michael’s was under threat of losing its A&E and other services. Along with the local community, People Before Profit lobbied, protested and fought to protect the hospital. The campaigns were a success and secured the future of the hospital.
However, the grips of austerity are tightening on the hospital, and the broader public health service, once again. As before, People Before Profit will stand alongside the local community and staff in St. Michael’s and fight to ensure it has the resources necessary to continue to serve our community.
On 14 October members of the INMO and Fórsa at health facilities around Ireland will hold a ballot for strike action. 3 October will see lunchtime walkout demonstrations in some facilities. We fully support these workers as they fight to maintain and raise standards of healthcare in our community.
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Take Action Now. Come to our Public Meeting:
7PM Wednesday October 2nd
Royal Marine Hotel
with Richard Boyd Barrett TD People Before Profit
