Public told not to use A&E as agency doctor stoppages limit services

Major disruption to services at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan can be expected over the coming days due to industrial action by agency hospital doctors.

There were fears last night that the A&E Department at the Navan hospital could close, because of the unofficial work stoppage.
The Ireland East Hospital Group, which runs Navan Hospital has appealed to patients to visit their own doctors or doctor-on-call before presenting at the Emergency Department.
A number of agency staff had not turned up for work yesterday and the emergency department had been in danger of shutting last night but managed to provide a limited service.
A spokesperson said today (Tuesday) they were finding it difficult and there was a possibility of the ED department having to close, but they were working hard with the HSE and within the Hospital Group doing everything possible to stop that happening.
The unofficial action on behalf of agency staff stems from a drive by the HSE to bring parity between the pay levels of its own medical workers and those on agency contracts.
The HSE has moved to cut over-time pay for agency workers and the hospital in Navan has a particularly high proportion of non-HSE workers employed there.
Deputy Peadar Toibín expressed concern at the dispute. “The over reliance on agency staff in our hospitals has increased massively the wage bill that they have to foot each year.
“Due to this disagreement, many have not shown up for work in a number of different hospitals”.
“I have received word from the HSE that the situation in the A&E is fluid. I am told that there are contingency plans being developed to try and keep the A&E open, but that the outcome of this is not certain.
A spokesperson for the Ireland East Hospital Group said they employ a number of agency staff, creating the potential for disruption to services.
“However, for clarity, the Group can confirm that hospitals in Ireland East Hospital Group are continuing to provide services across its 11 hospitals, which includes Navan.
“Hospital management and staff physicians have developed contingency plans and will adapt these plans to address the evolving staffing situation, as required. All possible arrangements are being put in place to minimise any disruption to services and to support the continued delivery of care.”
“However, patients should be aware that there may be delays or disruption to some services,” she said. “Our hospitals will continue to prioritise the delivery of safe services for our patients, notwithstanding this issue.”
She said the Hospital Group asked agency doctors to consider the impact of their decision and there are well-established and agreed procedures to deal with this dispute and we urge all staff to comply with agreed procedures.