Media watch-PG/SON/AM 19/03/2008 10:11 Page 1 Media Watch A crisis in sight The continuing A&E problems, as well as pay and working conditions have dominated recent new stories. Ann Keating reports Back to the A&E story again! The Cavan time.We told the pay benchmarking body “the INO has noted the recent agreement Voice (February 12) carried a story – Cavan this but it did not take any notice”.He con- between the HSE and hospital consultants General is at breaking point – INO rep- cluded: “The Health Service Executive on a new contract, under which they will resentative warns of A&E crisis at needs to improve nurses’ pay and treat be paid upfront for work practice changes hospital. IRO Tony Fitzpatrick said “The them better in order to keep both Irish not yet delivered”. first thing with any problem is that you and non-national staff.” Mr Doran went on:“We are seeking, at have to realise that there is a problem and Tullamore Hospital this point, a renewed investigation by the they seem to be completely aloof and Meanwhile we read, in the Offaly Express Court given that the matters in question detached from the situation.The staff are (February 13), about money being wasted are unfinished business.” telling us that at the moment it is danger- in the new Tullamore Hospital – ?40,000 Sligo General Hospital ous and unsafe within A&E departments weekly to heat empty hospital. IRO Joe The Donegal Democrat (February 21) car- in the north east, especially in Cavan and Hoolan said “?40,000 a week is being ried a story on problems at Sligo General Drogheda, because of the over-crowding.” spent on heating and yet no one has slept hospital – Major crisis facing Sligo Gen- Tony was also interviewed in the Mon- there.This is the salary of a 10-year quali- eral Hospital. Executive Council member aghan Voice (February 12) – Nursing an fied nurse.They are leaking money and yet Ann McGowan claimed that the recruit- ailing health service.He said “I think there is no end in sight”. ment embargo effectively means that there are massive problems in the north In the same paper on February 27 – HSE wards and departments are being oper- east that have been caused by misman- own goal – Tullamore hospital lay offs ated short of their normal complement of agement over the years.” costing more money – In a bid to save staff and that nurses and midwives have Further worries for health services in the money by the non-renewal of contracts become extremely frustrated. north east were covered on page one of the HSE has ended up costing itself more “She pointed out that “last month, there the Cavan Echo (February 15) – Cavan money. IRO Joe Hoolan said “These nurses were 31 nurses and midwives on mater- takes Navan excess.“Concerns have been didn’t have their contracts renewed nity leave throughout Sligo General raised after the announcement that an because they were told they weren’t without any replacement cover, and last already overburdened Cavan General Hos- needed. Now they are back doing agency week alone, one ward was five nurses pital may now have to take cases from Our work which is much more expensive for short of its normal staff complement”. Lady’s Hospital in Navan.”Tony Fitzpatrick the HSE.” She concluded: “Unless the current said “the situation was bad news for Cavan Finally in the Offaly Independent (March embargo is lifted, then members of the patients. Our view is that, as it stands there 1), new IRO in the midlands area, Derek INO in Sligo General hospital will be seek- are not enough facilities to meet demand. Reilly objected strongly to the portrayal of ing the cancellation of elective admissions Moving services from an under-pressure nurses at Tullamore Regional Hospital in a and bed closures within the next two or hospital to another hospital, such as Cavan recent Irishhealth online survey – INO three weeks.” General, which already is not coping, does defends nurses at Tullamore. He said CUH not make sense”. “This survey is unfair and is not an accu- The E vening Echo (February 28) gave Migrant nurses rate reflection of the dedicated care given space on the front page to the ongoing The Irish Examiner (February 13) to patients in the midlands by dedicated, story of the cutbacks in the health services reported on a study carried out by the professional and hard working staff.” – Nurses claim 300 job vacancies at Royal College of Surgeons which found Pay claim CUH. According to IRO Patsy Doyle “The that “more than half of all new entrants to Liam Doran spoke to Industrial Relations union has drawn up a 10-point action the Irish nursing register are foreigners”. News (February 14) about our pay claim – plan, which it wants the Health Service – More than half of nurse entrants are INO seeks similar pay for change Executive to implement, to address the foreigners. The study also found that process to consultants. He said “nurses risks presented by staffing shortages.The “most of the migrant nurses interviewed should have a similar specific independent INO has asked that the HSE close down six did not intend to stay in this country on a process to deal with their pay claims as beds in each of 10 wards to help alleviate long-term basis”.Dave Hughes, welcoming that made available to hospital consul- the pressures on staff.” the report, said “it confirmed what his tants outside benchmarking/national Ann Keating is INO Media Relations Officer organisation had been saying for some agreements/pay review bodies. He said Email: [email protected] WIN April 2008 Vol 16 Iss 4 25.