Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock
Nurses

Nurses to protest outside HSE headquarters

The unions also said their boycott of the nurse graduate scheme is “working”. They are asking the HSE to enter into discussions with them about finding savings.

MEMBERS OF THE Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) are to protest outside the HSE headquarters today.

The protest will take place at the HSE HQ in Dr Steeven’s Hospital, opposite Heuston Station in Dublin, from 11am today. At 12 midday they will formally hand in a letter to the headquarters for the attention of Barry O’Brien, Deputy CEO of the HSE.

Campaign

The INMO described this latest move as its “next step in the campaign” against the HSE’s nurse graduate programme. The INMO/PNA are also repeating their call for the HSE/Department of Health to suspend the proposed programme and come to the negotiating table to allow for discussions aimed at finding the savings through alternative means.

It says it wants these means to “respect the stated salary scales for all nurses/midwives”.

The organisations say they have identified savings which clearly show how the HSE can secure significant cost reduction through direct employment rather than through agencies.

The INMO also took the opportunity today to say “the boycott is working”, in reference to their boycott on nurses applying for the graduate scheme.

The scheme opened in early January, but the INMO called for graduate nurses to boycott it. Due to low numbers of applications, the deadline for the scheme was extended until today.

The HSE previously told TheJournal.ie that the rate of applications for the first phase of the scheme was “slower than anticipated”, so it extended the closing date by two weeks.  Applications will be accepted until noon today.

Read: Nurses call on TDs to hear them on graduate scheme>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
39
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.