James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 3: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the work to rule by staff and the refusal by unions to cooperate in certain work practices and to cooperate in the transfer of staff has resulted in an impairment of patient care or services; if she will give assurances that no diminution of services to patients will occur as a result of the work to rule; the measures she has taken to avoid an impairment of patient services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7228/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The industrial action which is underway across the public service has the potential to cause serious disruption in the health sector depending on its scope and scale. My main concern is to ensure that the effect of the dispute on patient care is minimised as much as possible and, so far, this has been achieved.

The HSE and my Department are monitoring the evolving situation daily in close co-operation with the Department of Finance, which has responsibility for the public service. Where issues that could impact on patient care have arisen, it has so far been possible to resolve the situation at local level. I want to acknowledge the responsible approach which has been taken to date in this regard by the relevant health service unions.

There is no doubt that, following a period of rapid increase in funding, the health services are now facing the challenge of managing with much tighter financial resources. There is scope within the health system, by reforming the way services are delivered, to achieve more through greater efficiency and concentrating on services that contribute most to people's health and well-being. There is an onus on all concerned - Government, management, trade unions and employees - to find a way of engaging on the reforms which are needed to deliver better services to patients.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I know the HSE has expressed serious concern about the impact of this industrial action. According to reports, staff are not checking patients' daily treatment appointments. In addition they are not answering phones or agreeing to the redeployment of staff and the change in working hours currently in place, and are not providing weekend on-call arrangements. This is having an extremely negative effect on patients. It is particularly difficult and stressful for those who are terminally ill. They may wish to attend a hospice and have the additional stress of not being able to get anyone to answer a phone for an appointment. They are consequently unsure wherever or not they can obtain such an appointment. The problem also extends to the wider area of making repeat appointments because may wish to check appointment details but cannot get through by phone. We will not digress into the argument about the centralisation of medical cards but it is similar. If people cannot get through they become frustrated, worried and concerned. What action is the Minister taking to guarantee the House that there will be no diminution of services and that this action can be addressed? What action is she taking to prevent the situation from escalating? I believe it is due to escalate from 1 March.

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I acknowledge that where issues arose that may have directly affected patient care, responsible action was taken by unions at local level. For example, there was an issue concerning radiotherapy in Cork and I acknowledge that was resolved without patients being affected. I salute that. Clearly, however, everyone who works in the health service has an impact on patient services, including clerical staff who make appointments, process applications and respond to queries. I would like to think that the current difficulties in the industrial relations environment could come to an end quickly. They are not exclusive to the health area, they are across the public service. I understand how public servants feel about the reduction in their income because of the financial situation we find ourselves in.

Before the budget we had exciting discussions with the health unions concerning reforms in the health area, including longer working days, redeployment and flexibility. They were all the things we need to provide a better service to patients within the resources we can make available. As we move the more acute services from one hospital to another, we must be able to redeploy staff, otherwise it will not work as effectively as we anticipate. I cannot tell the Deputy when the current difficulties will pass but it is the Government's wish, as the Taoiseach said earlier this week, to engage with the public sector unions as quickly as possible on the reform agenda so that no further reductions in pay might be necessary in 2011 and 2012.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister for her reply but pay is not the issue, patient care is. I hope the Minister will be able to use her good offices to engage with the unions and ensure that patient care is not compromised. She should not allow the situation to escalate as is clearly planned in March. I hope she will be able to give us some indication of what her plans are to deal with that. Some plans must be put in place to deal with any escalation, although we have not heard what they are.

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I accept the Deputy's positive comments in his response to that matter. While the Deputy may say pay is not the issue, at the heart of the dispute is the reduction in public sector pay. I would hope that we can return to the reform agenda with the public sector unions. We have had very responsible engagement with them in the past and I have no doubt that the people who work in the health service are well motivated by patient concerns, want to do the best for their patients and would want to see the kinds of reforms I mentioned earlier implemented as soon as possible. If we can return to dialogue - hopefully that can happen soon - I hope we would be in a position to have that positive agenda agreed.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is there a provisional plan?

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In fairness with regard to a plan, it is not possible to have a big strategy and decide this is how we will do it. We need to deal with the individuals at a local level in the main.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is there any strategy?

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We are doing that. There is a plan. It is reviewed every day. The Department of Finance is the co-ordinating Department. In the health area not a day goes by without the official in my Department who is dedicated to the matter being involved with the HSE at a central and local level regarding the different issues that arise.