Health service improvements need union flexbility – Mulherin ^Featured

"This is an example of flexibility working for the patient who is surely the most important consideration in all of this,” Deputy Mulherin told the Dail.

Deputy Mulherin continued: “Our health system is crying out for reform and efficiencies. The barriers that stand in the way of achieving reform are not just economic. I firmly believe that a more efficient health service can be delivered within the financial constraints that exist, but this will require the full buy in of healthcare staff and management.

Job practices

"Illness does not discriminate between poor or wealthy people and when it does strike we need to know that the State is there for us.

“Unions need to encourage staff to be flexible and responsive so we can deliver health care improvements under the constraints that exist. The Croke Park Deal has ensured that nobody is losing their job but it does promise greater efficiency and flexibility. It is clear that some are reluctant to address the inefficiencies in our health system because they do not want to change job practices.

“Efficiencies can be achieved with the cooperation of management and staff and I would cite Mayo General Hospital as a case in point. There has been a 70% reduction in trolley waiting times since this time last year (compared with a 27% reduction nationally).

“I commend the hospital manager, Charlie Meehan, Frank Murphy, a manager in HSE West, and the staff and management who are working together to achieve efficiencies through the reconfiguration of medical and surgical beds, increasing the number of day cases and a more efficient use of step-down facilities. This is an example of flexibility working for the patient who is surely the most important consideration in all of this,” added Deputy Mulherin.