Cullinane

Wednesday, 1st August 2012

Recruitment Pause at WRH must be lifted – Cullinane

Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane has written to the Minister for Health James Reilly asking him to lift a recruitment pause in place at WRH. A number of vital consultant posts have been approved by the Department but cannot commence until the HSE recruitment freeze is lifted. Senator Cullinane said that two Dermatologist consultant posts and a vitreo retinal post need to be filled as soon as is possible.

Speaking today Senator Cullinane said:

"The HSE confirmed at a meeting of Oireachtas members and local and hospital management that a temporary recruitment freeze is impacting on the hospital's ability to fill consultant posts already approved. The appointment of two consultant dermatologists cannot go ahead despite being approved by the Department.

"The Ophthalmology Department needs to fill a vitreo-retinal consultant post. This is a regional service and the contract of the consultant who specialises in back of the eye treatment ended last February. The replacement post is also affected by this recruitment freeze.

"Given that WRH has met its financial targets this year I think it is unfair that they are subject to this temporary freeze. We must not penalise efficiency. A one size fits all policy is not fair and must be lifted. I have today written to the Minister for Health asking that he lift the recruitment freeze.

"I also welcome the news that the much needed Integrated Palliative Care Unit has finally reached design stage. The plan is to build a new 4 storey unit on the grounds of the existing staff car park. However we must be cautious as the capital funding has not been approved by the Department or the Minister. I am also appealing to the Minister to provide the necessary funding as the Southeast is the only region without a dedicated palliative care unit."