HSE not interested in patient care reform, claim nurses
Health Service Executive managers are not interested in massive reform of patient care, nurses representatives claimed today.
In a bold move the Irish Nurses Organisation and Psychiatric Nurses Association published an offer they have tabled to the HSE giving nurses an enhanced role.
They have suggested it in return for their demands for a 35-hour working week and a 10.6% pay rise.
But INO general secretary Liam Doran said HSE management appeared willing to walk away from the radical reform put forward during negotiations with the National Implementation Body.
Mr Doran also claimed HSE chief Professor Brendan Drumm initially indicated his support for the package, yet his juniors have shown little interest.
“Professor Drumm at one of the sessions last week indicated a strong positive disposition towards this reform agenda, unfortunately his management team dismissed that strong disposition,” he said.
Included in the reform package were commitments to cut A&E waiting times by four hours and reduce overcrowding overall by giving more power to senior nurses rather than waiting for overworked doctors.
Nurses should be allowed to prescribe and administer drugs including pain relief and antibiotics.
The INO/PNA plan also included changes to admissions and discharge, faster response times and cost-cutting measures.
The nursing bodies said the next 24-48 hours would be crucial in the dispute, but insisted they were going back into talks with the NIB determined to resolve it.
“Words like determined and pragmatic and committed and solid come to mind,” Mr Doran said.
He said there appeared to be no understanding of what is on the table, the benefits that will accrue and the need for reform.
“Our approach to these negotiations has been to present a modernisation and change programme far greater than has been offered by any other group to date,” the INO chief said.
“Regrettably, so far the HSE’s, and the Department’s response has been very disappointing, very narrow in focus and far removed from the rhetoric of improving the patients/clients’ experience of the public health service.”
In a veiled threat to the outgoing Government the INO/PNA alliance said they already had fervent support from 45,000 working nurses, but that number had mushroomed with support from retired heath workers and the general public.
Des Kavanagh, PNA general secretary, said it was being reflected on the doorsteps with TDs warning Fianna Fáil headquarters the nurses dispute could cost votes.
The INO/PNA executives suggested there were two questions which needed to be asked of the Department of Health and the HSE.
Is it that they simply do not grasp what is being offered or has it more to do with the fact that we are living in a climate that is pushing toward privatisation?
