SIPTU has urged the Health Service Executive to fast track recruitment of up to 16,000 promised healthcare staff to assist in the battle against Covid-19.
Health Divisional Organiser Kevin Figgis said the health service is under incredible pressure at present, and healthcare workers are extremely fearful that they will not have the numbers to meet the challenges posed by the next wave of the virus.
He noted that in Budget 2021, the Government pledged an additional €4 billion for the health service, which was to be earmarked to prioritise the development of community health services, deliver 2,600 additional beds and recruit up to 16,000 additional healthcare staff.
However, Mr Figgis said that since that October announcement, members had seen little evidence of additional recruitment to assist the frontline workforce.
"It is essential that roadblocks are removed for vitally needed healthcare workforce supports. Our members within the Acute, Community, Primary, Mental Health and National Ambulance Service settings urgently need additional resources.
"National approval for local recruitment must be issued to ensure additional staffing levels can be secured in the shortest timeframe possible.
"SIPTU is demanding these initiatives are fast tracked so that the health care workforce is fully supported in the challenging weeks and months ahead."
The union official noted that exhausted health workers had worked around the clock fighting the virus every day since early 2020, but were facing into the new year "with possibly their gravest challenge yet" as they await the rollout of the vaccine.
"The Department of Health and HSE must now do all in their power to ensure health care workers have the necessary resources needed to provide life-saving care on the frontline," Mr Figgis concluded.
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