Labour Court recommends independent review of Monaghan hospital staffing assessment

The Labour Court recommended an independent review of the HSE’s assessment of staffing levels at Monaghan General Hospital after acute medical services moved to Cavan General Hospital. The recommendation was dated 18 November 2009. HSE Dublin North-East argued that its proposed staffing levels followed a professional assessment and met safety needs. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union, Irish Nurses' Union and IMPACT said further cuts could affect the hospital’s safe and efficient operation. The Court recommended that the review examine the HSE’s methodology and the validity of its results. HSE Dublin North-East and the three unions were to seek agreement on a reviewer within three weeks; if they could not, each side would submit nominees to the Court. The Court recommended continued application of the conciliation arrangement during the six-week review period, after which each side should report back if final agreement had not been reached.