Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 4: To ask the Minister for Health his views on the strike at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick undertaken by the International Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the concerns about cutbacks and staff shortages expressed by their members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26438/11]

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

I do not believe that any useful purpose is served by this industrial action. I am concerned that a further stoppage has happened today and would urge the INMO to reflect on the impact which these actions have on the general public.

The shared focus of all those working in the health service should be on safeguarding frontline care in the face of the continuing very serious economic situation. The Mid-Western Regional Hospital Limerick was €16.2 million over budget at the end of July 2011 and has had to take measures to reduce its spending including a prohibition on staff overtime and on the hiring of agency staff.

In recent months I have established the special delivery unit under the leadership of Dr. Martin Connor. The SDU is working to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system. It is focusing initially on emergency departments and will be working to support hospitals in addressing excessive waiting times for admission to hospital. I look forward to the co-operation of all health service staff with this very important initiative, which is aimed at ensuring that patients receive a safe and appropriate service when they present at our acute hospitals.

I find it hard to reconcile the fact that the nursing unions are taking this industrial action given that they are parties to the public service agreement, particularly in view of the fact that the agreement focuses on the need to deliver services in the changed circumstances in which we now find ourselves and with co-operation between management and unions.

Last night the LRC put a series of measures to the unions to resolve this issue and those measures were refused. It appears, rightly or wrongly, that they will not yield on this issue until the moratorium is lifted and a cap put on the number of beds that may be put up in a hospital. I might be wrong on that but it is the message I am getting back. That is not possible.

As in all areas of the economy and the public service we must focus on solutions, including efficiency, flexibility and innovative working, to allow us to maintain our public services in the face of the economic crisis.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does the Minister agree the overriding concern of those involved in the industrial dispute in the mid-west is patient safety? This morning there were six people on trolleys in the accident and emergency unit but there were 41 in an overflow ward. There is a massaging of figures for people on trolleys awaiting proper treatment. The nurses involved in the industrial dispute are clear that they are very concerned about patient safety and that there is gross overcrowding in accident and emergency wards that compromises their ability to deliver proper clinical supports and services to patients who present in the accident and emergency department. Does the Minister agree their overriding concern is patient safety?

The special delivery unit did not carry out a "dawn raid" but informed management in advance that it would inspect the hospital to see how it could assist with overcrowding in the accident and emergency ward. When it arrived at the hospital it found very few people on trolleys but there is now an overflow ward where 41 people are awaiting admission. Clearly the special delivery unit should not inform hospitals of visits in advance so it can see at first hand the concerns being expressed by the INMO members.

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

As a doctor and as Minister I fail to see how patient safety is improved by taking industrial action. In my view that endangers the very patients we are seeking to protect. I accept the right of the INMO to highlight the situation but it must acknowledge we are acutely aware of the situation. The special delivery unit was down there last week, I have its report and I am studying its recommendations before I pass it on to the HSE for implementation.

This action is unsafe, unsound and unwarranted. I have asked the Department to contact the HSE with a view to contacting the Croke Park agreement implementation body because I believe this is ultra vires and outside the agreement.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the Minister clearly stating the action by the INMO in the mid-west puts patient safety at risk and increases the dangers the INMO has highlighted in the accident and emergency ward and is further exacerbating the problem, threatening the lives of patients attending?

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

I fail to see how this improves the situation and in my view this could lead to more danger for patients, not less.