Concerned councillors urged both sides to get together to try to resolve the ongoing dispute involving five nurse managers at Portiuncula Hospital which has reached “crisis” point.
The members of the HSE West’s regional health forum west warned that the dispute was damaging morale at the Ballinasloe hospital.
Cllr Michael Mullins (B/sloe ) told a meeting of the forum at Merlin Park Hospital on Tuesday that he was “worried” about the unresolved dispute.
“It is damaging morale at the hospital and is causing great concern in the local community. Poor morale will inevitably affect productivity and compromise patient care. I am aware that there have been some efforts made to bring the two sides [HSE management and the Irish Nurses’ Organisation, the nurses’ union] together but to date no progress has been made and no meaningful engagement has taken place.”
He stated every dispute is eventually resolved through “dialogue and compromise” and stressed this “will be no different”.
“I am pleading with HSE management and the INO to immediately engage with the industrial relations machinery of the State to resolve the issue once and for all.”
Cllr Tony Ward (Rosc ) said the dispute had dragged on for too long. “It’s a pity. At the end of the day they will have to sit down and resolve the problem.”
Forum chairperson Cllr Tomas Mannion (B/sloe ) said he realised industrial relations was outside the forum’s remit. He appealed to both sides to put their heads together to resolve the dispute. He said it was having a “very negative” effect on Portiuncula Hospital which played a crucial part in the community life of counties Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary and Galway.
“It [the dispute] is damaging morale and eventually will impact on the quality of service.”
Cllr Pat Hynes (Loughrea ) outlined the dispute was going on for too long. He said he had several representations from nurses, staff and relations of patients. It was a “crisis” situation and should be resolved, he pointed out.
Francis Rogers of the HSE said he was hopeful of getting back in discussion with the INO. He said the dispute had gone on for too long and it was essential that it was resolved.
