Ambulance strike in Kildare and beyond 'could and should have been averted'
The current ambulance strike in County Kildare and beyond 'could and should have been averted'.
That’s according to Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh, who claimed that the whole situation could have been avoided ‘if there had been goodwill from the government and National Ambulance Service (NAS) management’.
Elaborating on her view, Deputy Ní Raghallaigh said that paramedics, EMTs, advanced paramedics, specialist paramedics and supervisors ‘need a properly funded workforce plan, fair recognition for their skills, and implementation of the outstanding recommendations of the 2020 review’.
The Kildare town-based representative continued: “Strike action by NAS workers could and should have been averted with goodwill from the government, the HSE and NAS management.
“These workers are the backbone of pre-hospital emergency care; they save lives every day, yet they continue to face understaffing, burnout, frustration and a failure to recognise their skills and responsibilities.
“Paramedics and ambulance personnel need a properly funded workforce.
“The ambulance service cannot be expected to meet rising demand while workers are left carrying the burden of chronic staffing shortages and unresolved disputes.”
Deputy Ní Raghallaigh also explained her belief that both the government and Minister for Health [Jennifer Carroll MacNeil, Fine Gael] must ensure that the recommendations of the 2020 review are implemented without further delay.
“That means recognising the growing professionalisation of the service, addressing pay and conditions, and putting in place the staffing, regulation, management and governance needed for a modern ambulance service.”
She concluded: “The Minister must intervene, show leadership, and bring this dispute to an end, as continued failure will only deepen the crisis in pre-hospital emergency care and risk further disruption to services.”
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESPONSE
The Leinster Leader contacted the Department of Health in relation to the Deputy’s comments.
In response, a spokesperson for the Department had this to say: “It is regrettable that SIPTU and Unite members in the NAS have chosen to proceed with industrial action, given the significant impact on service capacity and the risk of disruption to emergency care and timely access to life saving services.
“The State accepts that NAS pay structures need to be modernised and previous engagement at the Workplace Relations Commission concluded with the State offering pay increases of 3 to 14 per cent , on top of the 9.25 per cent increase under the current Public Service Agreement.
“These increases were linked to essential service reforms designed to improve patient care, response times and how services are delivered, by supporting better deployment and training and professional development of staff.”
They continued: “The only way to resolve this issue is through dialogue, and we strongly urge the unions to re‑engage with management in the Health Service Executive (HSE), which remains available to engage, to find a resolution.
“The HSE has agreed contingency plans with the Trade Unions to protect life threatening emergencies and prioritise patients based on clinical need.”
The spokesperson added: “For operational details, service impacts and public advice, all queries should be directed to the HSE.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.