SIPTU supports deployment of Health Care Assistants in St. Patrick’s Hospital
SIPTU supports a Labour Court recommendation calling on St. Patrick’s University Hospital, James Street, Dublin 8, to honour previous agreements to deploy Health Care Assistants (HCAs) at the facility.
The most recent agreement between unions and hospital management, made in 2012, allowed for members of the hospital’s Household Department to be trained as HCAs. However, upon completing their training in 2014 the management of St. Patrick’s Hospital refused to deploy them as HCAs.
SIPTU Organiser, Aideen Carberry, said: “The Labour Court recommendation is welcome news for our members in St. Patrick’s Hospital. The employer made numerous previous agreements to deploy a Health Care Assistant role within the hospital. Our members completed their HCA training in 2014 in good faith and they deserve to have their work formally recognised and appropriately rewarded.”
She added: “SIPTU members believe the role of the Health Care Assistant serves to complement and support the care already delivered by the nursing staff at St. Patrick’s Hospital. The proper deployment of HCAs will ensure a more efficient service to patients.”