Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am aware that nursing staff working in University Hospital Kerry emergency department engaged in a lunchtime protest on Monday. I understand that this was to highlight their concerns about overcrowding in the emergency department and its impact on patient care. I want to assure these staff that the Government is fully aware of the difficulties and challenges that are currently faced by all hospital staff, including nurses and midwives, in delivering care in the hospital setting. The emergency department of every hospital is at the front line when it comes to treating and caring for the public. There is a real focus within our health service on addressing overcrowding issues and ensuring continued recruitment and retention of staff.

University Hospital Kerry is experiencing a prolonged period of increased demand for its services. This is most evident in the older age group of over 75 years of age with a 10.7% increase in attendances year to date. Overall, attendances year to date are up 2.6%. However, the hospital is progressing a number of initiatives to support the patient pathway and improve the patient experience. Some of the examples include the implementation of a frailty intervention team, providing a second geriatrician post to provide specialist experience to care effectively for older people in the area, providing a consultant cardiologist and an additional bed capacity proposal. Recent staffing improvements at this location include the appointment of an assistant director of nursing for patient flow. Since 2017, two additional staff nurse posts have been put in place for night duty and two additional healthcare assistant posts for day duty. Seven staff nurse posts have also been upgraded to clinical nurse manager I grade. A further clinical nurse manager post is in the process of being sought by the hospital to assist patients being admitted. This is in line with the emergency department protocol. In addition to this, four new staff nurses recently joined.

Unfortunately, even with these appointments, there remains a nursing deficit of 1.3 whole-time equivalent posts due to maternity leave and sick leave. I understand that the hospital is currently recruiting for this shortfall in staff. In addition, the emergency department is also supported by 2.8 advanced nurse practitioners. I am confident that these measures will improve the situation in University Hospital Kerry.

At a national level, there is an agreement in place in respect of emergency departments, which was brokered through the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC. Indeed, only last week HSE management and officials from my Department engaged in a conciliation session with the INMO on implementation of this agreement. The outcome of this conciliation was that the HSE reaffirmed its commitment to comply fully with all aspects of the agreement. Engagement with the INMO at hospital group level has been re-established. Management agreed to promote and communicate the job advertisements to fill the vacancies in emergency departments and provide updates to staff on progress.

As part of the emergency departments WRC agreement there is a plan in place to address overcrowding. This plan was developed by the emergency department task force and is being implemented. That is why I was disappointed to see this protest proceed, despite this very recent commitment to renew efforts to progress implementation. The focus must be on working together to implement the plan, rather than engaging in industrial action. I urge the parties at local level to attempt to put aside their differences and engage with the agreement that is in place.

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