David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The HSA is key to all of these issues. It has a role to play in respect of how bullying and harassment is monitored and those issues are dealt with. It also has a role in respect of assaults and the general health and occupational well-being of front-line healthcare workers. That point has been well made. We need to hear directly from the HSA because it is a key player. We also need to hear directly from the Department and the HSE.

It is not good enough that we have hearings such as this every couple of months or once or twice a year. We hear the same stories over and over again and nothing changes. I am sure every committee member who speaks today will say a zero-tolerance approach needs to be taken to assaults, intimidation, bullying and whatever other issues that arise for those who work in our healthcare services, and yet these things are happening. We also need to agree once and for all that we are going to deal with overcrowding and unsafe staffing levels. Those are wider political issues. For the health, safety and well-being of front-line healthcare staff, we cannot continue to have these conversations but take no action.

I commend a submission we received from the better working lives for all committee. It made some sensible recommendations to improve legislation on bullying and harassment. The issue does not only occur in the healthcare sector. However, there was a particular focus on the healthcare sector and these are particular issues in the health service.

I feel strongly that we have a duty of care in that space in the context of those who work in the health service. We have a duty of care to patients, but also to those on the front line and those who work across the health services. The level of assaults, intimidation and harassment they have to go through in the course of their work is absolutely unacceptable. It should not be tolerated. A zero-tolerance approach must mean zero tolerance. We must have a follow-on session with the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Health and the HSE. What we are hearing from Ms Chambers we have heard time and again. It is simply not good enough.