HSE responds to Drogheda Hospital staff protest

The HSE have issued a statement regarding the staff protest at the Lourdes Hospital Drogheda this lunchtime over what the Unite union has termed the HSE’s ‘backdoor hiring freeze’.

The statement is as follows:

"The HSE respects the right of all Unions and professional groups to advocate; however, it is concerning that some have put forward an inaccurate narrative that the HSE is more influenced by financial considerations than patient safety. That is simply not the case. We are very happy to have continuous engagements on safety and other aspects of workforce management.

"It is important that the unions involved in protests and public commentary recognise the enormous growth and pace of change in recent years. In the case of the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda a protest takes place today, that hospital has had an increase in their workforce of 22.5% since the start of 2020. That is 483 new whole-time equivalent staff appointments at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

"In June this year, the CEO of the HSE welcomed the fact that we now have a clear view of the funding available for the remainder of 2024 and what’s required to maintain existing levels of service in 2025. 

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"At that time, the HSE also finalised a Pay and Numbers Strategy which enabled the HSE to stabilise its workforce numbers and also allowed it to increase to 129,000 whole time equivalent staff by the end of 2024 (excluding disability services) which was unprecedented. 

"We welcome the additional developments to be funded in 2025, which will add additional HSE staff to our overall workforce.

"Each of the six HSE Health Regions and each national service has now been provided with its own specified number of whole time equivalent staff, and can within that approved number, replace and recruit staff according to the priorities in their regions."