'Deeply alarming' as chronic staffing shortages exposed in Longford primary care services

Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath Sorca Clarke has said that newly released figures on staffing in a Longford primary care centre lay bare the scale of the crisis in frontline health services.

Responding to details provided following a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Health and her Department, Deputy Clarke said:

“The number of vacant and unfilled posts in Ballyminion Primary Care Centre is deeply alarming and completely unsustainable.

“The figures confirm significant shortfalls across multiple disciplines, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, and public health nursing.

“Several posts remain unfilled due to resignations and retirements, while others are impacted by sick leave and maternity leave. Crucially, it has also been confirmed that some roles have been lost altogether due to the Government’s Pay and Numbers strategy.

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“Primary care is supposed to be the backbone of our health service, yet in Longford we are seeing vital posts left vacant or not replaced at all. This directly impacts patients, including children waiting for speech and language supports, older people needing physiotherapy, and families relying on public health nurses.

“It is unacceptable that posts are being effectively lost due to recruitment issues. At a time when demand is growing, the Government is allowing capacity to shrink.

“These shortages place additional strain on already overburdened staff and lead to longer waiting times for essential services.

“The reality for people in Longford is delayed care and worsening outcomes.

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“Staff are doing their best, but they are being asked to operate in an under-resourced system.

“Sinn Féin has consistently called for a workforce plan that ensures full staffing of primary care services.

“Immediate action is needed to fill all vacant posts and to ensure that no further positions are lost.

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“Communities in Longford deserve access to timely, high-quality care. That cannot happen without the staff needed to deliver it”.