Perfusionists Strike Over Pay, 12+ Cardiac Surgeries Cancelled; HSE Pays More for Locums
Perfusionists at five public hospitals are striking over pay, leading to over a dozen cancelled cardiac surgeries. They seek to restore a pay link, arguing the HSE's current spending on locums due to staff attrition to the private sector far exceeds their claim. A 48-hour strike is threatened for June 16th and 17th.
Striking theatre staff, specifically perfusionists, at five public hospitals claim the HSE pays multiples of their claim's cost to hire locum cover due to staff losses to the private sector. Over a dozen elective cardiac operations were cancelled on Tuesday due to this action.
Fórsa members seek to restore a pay link, broken over a year ago, to 2,000 medical scientists. This would cost about €200,000 annually, which they argue would be self-financing as the HSE currently loses staff to private hospitals paying higher rates, then hires locums at a substantial premium.
Rob Regan, head of perfusion at the National Cardiac Centre, noted Cork University Hospital lost four of eight perfusionists, contracting a UK company for cover. Galway University Hospital also faces high costs for staff shortages. The one-day strike proceeded due to a lack of HSE engagement, despite the HSE stating its desire to resolve the situation.
Senior Fórsa organiser Linda Kelly highlighted that the Labour Court recommended restoring the pay link, an unusual recommendation for the HSE to disregard. The HSE claims it lacks a mandate from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to settle. Labour spokesperson Marie Sherlock and the Irish Patients’ Association urged intervention, with a 48-hour strike threatened for June 16th and 17th.