Startling absenteeism figures in the HSE West have been reported, with 1,100 HSE staff calling in sick every day in the HSE West region —a region which stretches from Donegal down to Limerick.
The issue was raised at the HSE West Forum meeting in Galway during the week, where members were informed that one in 20 employees call in sick in the region on a daily basis, costing an average €5 million a month to the taxpayer.
Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, and HSE forum member, Councillor Austin Francis O’Malley, who spoke to the Mayo Advertiser on Thursday, said that the figures were “unbelievable” and naturally were “causing a bit of a stir”.
The councillor said the “main problem” is the “financial end” of such absenteeism. He added that he was aware that the chairman of the HSE forum, Cllr Padraig Connelly was equally “astounded” with the figures.
However, Cllr O’Malley said that it is hard to judge whether people who ring in sick are in fact not sick, but said that the HSE need to address the high levels of absenteeism.
