HSE confirms end to industrial dispute relating to newly qualified paramedics

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The HSE has resolved the industrial dispute relating to the permanent employment of graduates and Year 3 paramedics who will be offered full-time permanent contracts with the National Ambulance Service (NAS).

Addressing the March meeting of the Regional Health Forum in relation to the status of approximately 80 newly qualified paramedics, Cllr Marie Casserly asked the forum to write to the HSE National Ambulance Service seeking urgent clarity regarding the status of approximately 80 newly qualified paramedics who have completed all academic and clinical requirements but have not transitioned to permanent contracts in line with previous practice.

“The Forum calls for transparent communication on the pathway to permanency and assurances that workforce planning measures will support morale, fairness, and continuity within frontline emergency services.”

Sligo Councillor Declan Bree, who had tabled a similar motion at this weeks meeting of the Regional Health Forum West/North West, withdrew his motion and welcomed the recent decision by management to offer permanent employment to graduates.

“While I welcome the decision that the newly qualified paramedics have now been offered permanent contracts by the National Ambulance Service, it has to be said that rather than coming to the table at the last minute when an issue can no longer be ignored, it is time for the National Ambulance Service management to drop its piecemeal approach to industrial relations and sit down with the trade unions to resolve all outstanding issues.

“There are still significant matters to be resolved regarding appointment and transfer issues and every possibility of industrial action being taken by ambulance workers. “Ambulance workers deserve to be treated with respect.” Cllr Bree said.

A reply from Brendan McGovern, General Manager, National Ambulance Service West and North West to Cllr Casserly’s motion stated:The HSE has recently resolved an industrial dispute relating to the permanent employment of graduates emerging from the NAS BSc. (Hon) in Paramedic Studies programme. Year 3 Paramedics graduating this year will be offered full-time, permanent contracts with the National Ambulance Service (NAS).

"There will be a range of opportunities available to graduates including existing vacancies arising from retirements and promotions, as well as new posts linked to new service developments under the National Service Plan.”

Outlining the details of the agreement reached, Mr McGovern’s answer continued; “The arrangements, now agreed with the Trade Unions, recognise that there is an existing agreement in place with SIPTU and Unite which means that all vacant posts across the Service are first offered to existing NAS staff, before then being offered to new graduates. Once those existing staff have made their decision on vacant roles, NAS will then be able to clearly identify the permanent roles available for this year’s graduates. It is important to state that there are more than enough vacant or new posts for every student graduating this year.

“While NAS are working to facilitate the transfers of existing permanent staff, this year’s graduates have been given a 16-week extension to their existing specified purpose contracts to ensure there is no interruption to their employment.

“NAS will engage with these graduates to ensure they can be assigned to posts as close to their home as possible, while being conscious of the needs of the communities we serve. NAS have written to all graduates as of Wednesday, March 11 advising them of the foregoing.

“Ultimately, the arrangements now agreed will ensure that NAS can protect and ring fence the number of students both in training and graduating every year so we can ensure a safe, staffed and sustainable NAS service.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.