64 vacant posts at Mayo hospital is 'very serious situation'

A total of 64 staff positions remain to be filled at Mayo university Hospital (MUH), which includes 29 nursing posts, according to the HSE, writes JOAN GERAGHTY.

The information came to light at a HSE Forum West meeting when members raised a number of staffing queries in relation to both Mayo General Hospital and Galway University Hospital.

Connemara Councillor Donal Killililea raised a number of queries regarding nurse training and offers of employment at both hospitals.

In response, Anne Cosgrove, COO, Saolta University Health Care Group, replied: “The total number of student nurses and midwives in their final year cycle in 2019 in Mayo University Hospital is 27. There is a total number of 12 temporary WTE contracts being offered.

Mayo health board representative, Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, queried how many staff posts are currently vacant at Mayo University Hospital.

Ms. Cosgrove outlined: "The total number of vacant posts currently at Mayo University Hospital is 64.5, in the following areas: health & social care professionals - 10.5; maintenance - 3; management/admin - 13; nursing - 29; support hca/porter/domestics - 9."

Councillor Kilcoyne said the figures represented a very serious staff shortage.

On a further query as to whether there was a moratorium in place with regard to nursing recruitment in HSE West, Tony Canavan, executive lead, Regional Health Forum, stated: "All HSE services must comply with the current national recruitment controls within which there is some capacity to recruit some new-funded posts and also replace critical clinical posts.

“In this context, posts are being progressed where national approval has been received."