Health services in Carlow and Kilkenny may be hit as unions urge their executives to endorse a plan for industrial action.
Representing over 72,000 healthcare workers across the country, both the INMO and FORSA have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the move following the continued non-filling of vacant posts in the public health service.
Last October protests were held outside St Luke’s General Hospital for Carlow and Kilkenny against the large gaps in the nursing and midwifery workforce.
INMO President, Caroline Gourley said; “The INMO Executive Council, made up of working nurses and midwives, will meet early next week to endorse a strategy regarding industrial action devised by the officers of both the INMO and Fórsa trade unions. We take the mandate received from our membership extremely seriously. It is clear from the HSE’s Service Plan for 2025 that they intend to leave posts vacant and continue with their de-facto recruitment ban in the name of a Pay and Numbers Strategy. The new Government must confirm it will enact the Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill and provide real measures to ensure safe staffing that delivers safe patients care. It is time to meaningfully engage with the health unions and give assurances that much needed posts that will ensure patient and staff safety will be filled.”
Clodagh Kavanagh, Chairperson of the Fórsa Health and Welfare Division said; “It is quite ironic that on the day the Government announce a new Programme for Government setting out their intention to recruit more staff and reduce agency spend, that two of the largest health unions have had to meet to discuss industrial action plans. Our members have seen this doublespeak for what it is – disingenuous and damaging to services. Our mandate is clear and we will now work with our colleagues in the INMO and other health unions to ensure that the current disastrous staffing approach is challenged.”
