Dear Members,

Attn: Members Employed in the Public Health Service

You may have been made aware of an HSE notification that they have introduced an embargo on recruitment.

Nursing and midwifery grades are exempt i.e., that this embargo does not apply to them. Nevertheless, it is a matter that no doubt will, considering the grades that they intend to embargo, affect your workplace. With a view to same, the INMO now advises that you should not expand your role and take on duties, of other grades that are subjected to this embargo.

Many requests will be made of you, particularly those of you who are in the clinical area, to take on for example junior doctor roles and we will be advising the HSE that there is no agreement with the INMO that you do this. 

Please see the statement we have issued in response to this embargo today and also be advised that we have sought an urgent meeting with the HSE in respect of the effects of this decision on the ability to provide a safe level of care.

As you are aware, the INMO’s Executive Council believes that there is a very real need for legislation to underpin safe staffing.  This decision that the HSE have taken, underpins the necessity for legislated nursing and midwifery safe staffing levels. We must be insulated from poor financial planning which directly affects the ability to recruit and retain and deliver safe care to our patients.

Thank you for your attention to this note, if you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact our information officers or any of the officials assigned to your area.

Today we have issued two important statements:

The INMO has criticised the decision by the HSE to further extend their recruitment freeze to include patient-facing roles such as junior doctors, home-helps and HCAs. As is borne out through our trolley figures every day, our members are under severe pressure, a recruitment freeze will exacerbate that. You can read our statement here.

On behalf of the INMO President and General Secretary a statement issued on the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine echoing that of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (you can read ICTU’s statement here). You can read the INMO’s statement below.

The INMO as an affiliate organisation of ICTU, reiterates the issues raised in ICTU’s statement on Tuesday on the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine.

In addition the INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said:

“The INMO unequivocally condemns the scenes in Israel and Palestine that have occurred in the last week. Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those who are suffering because of the ongoing conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. 

“Our fellow healthcare workers in Gaza need immediate international intervention and assistance as they desperately try to provide life-saving care in an impossible situation.

“We are urging the Irish Government to use their influence to ensure that the key asks of the World Health Organisation are listened to.

“With our colleagues in the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, we are seeking an urgent meeting with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin.”

Karen McGowan, President of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said:

“We echo the WHO’s call for hostages to be released and for them to receive medical treatment.  Life-saving supplies should be provided to healthcare workers urgently. The support to those that provide care in a humanitarian crisis should never be conditional.”

Is míse

Phil Ní Sheaghdha
General Secretary