19/09/2024 Comments are off SIPTU Health Admin
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SIPTU welcomes that changes to ambulance services in South West will not proceed

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 19th September) welcomed correspondence from management at the National Ambulance Service confirming that changes to rosters planned for the South West region will not be implemented.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John McCamley, said: “The communication to SIPTU representatives confirms that a process of engagement to reach an agreement on the staffing of non-rostered days for National Ambulance Service staff in the South West region will be set up without delay.

“We welcome the decision of National Ambulance Service management to not implement the proposed roster changes next week. Our members had genuine concerns that the planned changes would have had a detrimental impact on the ambulance service in the region. The outlined process will give both parties a pathway to reaching an agreement on how non-rostered days will be staffed to the benefit of the communities our members serve.”

McCamley added: “The decision to allow for a process of engagement on this issue before implementing any changes results from our members’ determination to advocate for the service they work in.”

19/09/2024 Comments are off SIPTU Health Admin
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SIPTU wants clarity on Minister for Health’s statement on ambulance cuts in South West

SIPTU has called on the management of the National Ambulance Service to clarify media reports that the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has said that ambulance services in the South West region will not be reduced.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John McCamley, said: “The decision of the management of the National Ambulance Service to withdraw the provision of cover for non-rostered working days will affect 15 shifts in 14 ambulance stations across the South West. This change is scheduled to occur next week as the National Ambulance Service claims it does not have the funding to continue staffing this cover.

“SIPTU representatives have asked for clarity regarding the Minister’s statement. Does it mean the Department of Health is providing extra funding to provide for these 15 ambulance shifts going forward? I believe SIPTU members, and the people of Cork and Kerry, have a right to know if their ambulance services are to be diminished from next week resulting in longer response times because additional funding will not be provided from the Department of Health.”

SIPTU Organiser, Rory Hawkins, said: “SIPTU calls on the National Ambulance Service as the employer to engage with this union as a matter of urgency. SIPTU members working in the National Ambulance Service want to provide quality service to the people of the South West but additional funding and staffing are required.”

18/09/2024 Comments are off SIPTU Health Admin
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SIPTU endorses National Radiation Therapy report and calls for its implementation

The SIPTU Allied Health Professionals Sector Committee has voted to endorse the recently published National Radiation Therapist Review Final Report and called upon the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, to implement its recommendations on adequate staffing levels as a matter of urgency.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John McCamley, said: “The SIPTU Allied Health Professionals Sector Committee represents health and social care professionals including Radiation Therapists. It had previously highlighted that 30% more Radiation Therapists are needed within our health services and the lack of these professionals is leading to increased delays in cancer treatments.

“This staffing crisis has led to at least four cancer treatment machines not being utilised. These machines could treat around thirty patients a day, meaning there may be as many as 120 cancer cases not being dealt with daily due to staffing deficits.

He added: “Radiation Therapists perform a crucial role within our health service. Almost half of the people with a cancer diagnosis will require radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. This treatment is delivered by radiation therapists as part of a multi-disciplinary team. They are the only profession with the legal authority to deliver radiation therapy with services delivered by the HSE in Dublin, Cork and Galway.”

SIPTU Radiation Therapy Shop Steward and member of the SIPTU Allied Health Professionals Sector Committee, Clara Cremin, said: “We are calling on the Minister for Health and HSE to accept the findings of the Report and as a matter of urgency implement its recommendations to avert an all-out crisis in the State’s vital cancer services that so many depend on.”

17/09/2024 Comments are off SIPTU Health Admin
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SIPTU call on National Ambulance Service to reverse proposed cuts in South West

SIPTU representatives have called on the management of the National Ambulance Service to reverse proposed cuts to overtime which could reduce the number of available ambulance crews in the South West.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John McCamley, said: “National Ambulance Service management has proposed changes to overtime arrangements in the South West region, which are scheduled to come into effect on 23rd September. SIPTU representatives have grave concerns that the proposed changes could have a detrimental effect on services.

“The changes will likely result in longer response times as ambulance crews will have to travel greater distances if vehicles are no longer crewed in specific stations. Regrettably, National Ambulance Service management is making these fundamental changes to roster arrangements while also engaging with SIPTU representatives at the Workplace Relations Commission on the future of the ambulance service.”

He added: “SIPTU representatives will continue to argue that the ambulance service needs additional resources not cuts at this time.”

SIPTU Organiser, Rory Hawkins, said: “SIPTU representatives are calling on National Ambulance Service management to reverse these overtime changes and enter into meaningful dialogue on this issue with the Union. Our members want to provide a dependable quality service for the public but it needs to be safely staffed and supplied with the relevant resources. SIPTU representatives will begin a process of engagement with members this week regarding this unilateral decision by management.”

31/07/2024 Comments are off SIPTU Health Admin
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SIPTU welcomes completion of National Radiation Therapist Review Report

SIPTU representatives have welcomed the completion of the National Radiation Therapist Review Report and called on the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, to accept its recommendations on adequate staffing levels for cancer services.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John McCamley, said: “We have previously highlighted that our health services have a 30% shortage of Radiation Therapists and this is leading to increased delays in cancer treatments. This staffing crisis has led to at least four cancer treatment machines not being utilised. These machines could treat around thirty patients a day, meaning there may be as many as 120 cancer cases not being dealt with daily due to staffing deficits.

“Radiation Therapists perform a crucial role within our health service. Almost half of people with a cancer diagnosis will require radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. This treatment is delivered by radiation therapists as part of a multi-disciplinary team and they are the only profession with the legal authority to deliver radiation therapy with services delivered by the HSE in Dublin, Cork and Galway.”

McCamley added: “If the recommendations contained in this report are implemented, it will help develop a safe staffing model for radiation therapy, increase the number of clinical specialists and put in place a pilot scheme to develop advanced practice models. The report also acknowledges the sizeable pay gap between Radiation Therapists and other health and social care professional grades. This is resulting in difficulties in attracting students to take up the study of radiation therapy.”

SIPTU Radiation Therapy Shop Steward, Clara Cremin, said: “We are calling on the Minister for Health and HSE to accept the findings of the report as soon as possible and implement its recommendations as a matter of urgency to avert an all-out crisis in the State’s vital cancer services that so many depend on.”

16/04/2024 Comments are off SIPTU Health Admin
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Recruitment of radiation therapists is crucial to the success of Ireland’s cancer strategy

SIPTU representatives have said that the recruitment and retention of radiation therapists must be central to improving cancer services. The statement was made as the Dáil prepares to debate a Sinn Féin motion this evening (Tuesday, 16th April) which calls for increased funding for the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John McCamley, said: “While there has been record investment in the health service, the HSE employment census shows that between December 2019 and February 2024, there has only been a 2% increase in the number of funded radiation therapists employed in the public healthcare system. That is an increase which is equal to only four full-time funded positions.

“That is even though the National Cancer Strategy 2017 – 2026 envisaged a significant increase in the need for oncology radiation services which are delivered by radiation therapists.

“Last month SIPTU reported that at least six machines used in the delivery of radiation therapy were lying unused in hospitals across the country. This included machines in St. Luke’s Oncology Network in Dublin, Cork University Hospital and Galway University Hospital. This is down to a lack of radiation therapists on staff to operate the machines.

He added: “SIPTU representatives have highlighted the need to address the staffing crisis through the progression of the radiation therapy review and the need for a comprehensive strategy for retaining experienced staff.

“We also want to see an expansion of undergraduate and postgraduate places to increase recruitment of radiation therapists as well as support for students during clinical placement. All these measures will assist in supporting staff in providing these vital services.”

08/03/2024 Comments are off SIPTU Health Admin
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Recruitment crisis in cancer services staff resulting in lifesaving machines lying idle

SIPTU representatives have highlighted that a lack of recruitment by the HSE of radiation therapists has resulted in lifesaving machines for treating cancer patients being left idle in hospitals in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Speaking at the ‘Next Steps for Cancer Services in Ireland Seminar’ on Thursday (7th March) SIPTU National Radiation Therapist Executive member, Olivia Brereton, said that “the staffing crisis is having a devastating impact on our services”.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Mr John McCamley, said: “At least six machines are lying unused in services across the country including St. Luke’s Oncology Network in Dublin, Cork University Hospital, and Galway University Hospital. This is down to a lack of radiation therapists on staff to operate the machines.

“Every time a machine lies idle, it means someone’s access to cancer treatment is delayed. Under the National Cancer Strategy, the timeframe from cancer diagnosis to commencing treatment should be three weeks. Ireland is not currently meeting that target.”

He added: “As a union, SIPTU has highlighted the need to address the staffing crisis through the progression of the radiation therapy review, and a comprehensive strategy for retaining experienced staff. We also want to see an expansion of undergraduate and postgraduate places to increase recruitment of radiation therapists and support for students during clinical placement”.

Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment. This treatment uses beams of high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. Modern methods of radiation delivery require high accuracy. Radiation beams are directed at the tumours while healthy tissue is protected from high doses of radiation.

16/01/2024 Comments are off SIPTU Health Admin
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Workers’ voice must be part of mental health services discussion, SIPTU says

SIPTU, the union representing a broad range of mental health workers, has criticised the Department of Health and the Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, for excluding workers from discussions on the delivery of services.

The criticism comes as the Government outlines its plans for mental health services at a conference entitled ‘Sharing the Vision: Our National Mental Health Policy’ in Dublin Castle today (Tuesday, January 16th).

John McCamley, SIPTU Sector Organiser, said: “It is astonishing that the voice of workers is not part of the discussion on the delivery of mental health services and the implementation of the ‘Sharing the Vision’ policy.

“Our members are at the coalface when it comes to delivering these services. They are a key stakeholder and their insights are indispensable to these discussions.

“Our union has highlighted significant challenges facing the mental health service, including staffing levels in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). It is a shame that the experience of our members has not been called upon to ensure the delivery of a safe, efficient service for those that depend on it.”

27/10/2023 Comments are off SIPTU Health Admin
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SIPTU calls on minister to expand radiation therapist places or face major crisis

The Government must urgently expand the number of third-level places in radiation therapy or face a major crisis, SIPTU warned the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, this week.

The union, along with Higher Education representatives, met with the Minister to discuss major staffing deficits in radiation therapists across country which has had a knock-on effect on patient waiting times and left vital equipment idle.

John McCamley, SIPTU Sector Organiser, said: “Radiation therapists perform a crucial job. Almost half of people with a cancer diagnosis will require radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. This treatment is delivered by radiation therapists as part of a multi-disciplinary team and they are the only profession with the legal authority to deliver radiation therapy. These services are mainly delivered by the HSE in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

“SIPTU has successfully argued for the setting up of the radiation therapist review which will hopefully recommend measures to improve the retention of existing staff. However, there continues to be a shortage of new radiation therapist graduates and, if that continues, we are facing a major crisis.

“This week, we impressed on the Minister the need to expand undergraduate and postgraduate places to increase recruitment of radiation therapists and to offer supports for students during clinical placements. The meeting was positive and constructive. We welcome any assistance the Minister and his department can provide on this matter.”

12/10/2023 Comments are off SIPTU Health Admin
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SIPTU radiographers disappointed at HSE response to Galway hospitals’ staffing crisis

SIPTU radiographers at University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital have expressed their disappointment at the response from management at a meeting today (12th October) to discuss staffing levels.

Radiographers earlier this week voted overwhelmingly for industrial action up to and including strike action over short staffing and excessive workloads. The vote followed months of frustration over recruitment and retention issues at the two hospitals which have left SIPTU members facing a significant extra workload amid a 20 per cent staffing deficit.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John McCamley, said: “This dispute centres around staffing, increased workload, non-payment of wage arrears, out of hours arrangements and non-adherence to national agreements. There is a growing sense that HSE management is not willing to engage meaningfully to resolve this dispute and that the window to find a resolution is closing fast.

“SIPTU members are disappointed that no concrete proposals have come from management to resolve the dispute and are frustrated regarding the additional workload placed on radiographers as a result of inadequate staffing.

“SIPTU representatives are seeking commitments from management that it will address wage arrears as a matter of urgency and deal with patient safety issues in the provision of proper out of hours arrangements. ”

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