Mayo needs more frontline health staff, not announcements - councillour hits out
The Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is very welcome to Mayo today, but the people of this county need more than another announcement.
That's according to Castlebar Independent Councillor Harry Barrett.
He elaborated: "They need nurses on hospital wards, patients off trolleys and an end to the recruitment restrictions that have left vital healthcare posts unfilled.
"I welcome the approval of 14 graduate nursing posts at Mayo University Hospital. It is good news for the young nurses involved and for patients.
"But we must remember that these are qualified nurses who wanted to work in a hospital that desperately needed them, yet their appointments were held up by financial approval procedures.
"We were previously told that Mayo University Hospital had 85 vacant posts, including 50 nursing and midwifery positions.
"How many of those vacancies remain today, and when will they be filled? I also want confirmation that contracts have actually been issued to the 14 graduate nurses and a definite date for when they will start working.
"We're also told that recruitment restrictions were introduced because of spending overruns in HSE West and North West.
"Were those overruns caused by staff wages, or were they caused by non-pay expenditure, including agency services, contracts and other operating costs?
"If non-pay expenditure is driving the overspend, why are frontline nurses and other healthcare workers being caught up in recruitment restrictions? Because this problem goes beyond Mayo University Hospital.
"At Swinford District Hospital, administrative staffing has been reduced from one full-time equivalent position to half a position.
"That leaves less administrative support for physiotherapists and speech and language therapists, who should be spending their valuable time treating patients.
"We also need answers about staffing at Belmullet Community Hospital and recruitment across our community health services.
"I raised these concerns at Mayo County Council because I believe it is completely wrong that patients and frontline healthcare workers should suffer because of financial approval procedures.
"I want the minister to give three clear commitments during her visit.
"First, that all outstanding, previously sanctioned frontline vacancies can be filled without unnecessary delays.
"Secondly, that the additional recruitment restrictions affecting HSE West and North West will be reviewed and removed where they are preventing essential appointments.
"And thirdly, that the Department of Health will publish a proper breakdown of payroll and non-pay spending overruns so the public can see exactly where the financial problems lie.
"The Minister is welcome to Mayo and I will welcome every genuine improvement she delivers, but the people of Mayo deserve a properly staffed hospital, properly supported community services and straight answers about how their health service is being run," he added.