Dear Member, 

Meeting of Acute Hospital Representatives - 8th November

As you are only too aware, hospital overcrowding is no longer just an issue confined to our emergency departments, we are seeing more and more patients on trolleys on wards outside of the ED. It is increasingly difficult to continue working in overcrowded and understaffed wards. To this end, the Executive Council is inviting INMO reps in acute hospitals to a meeting in the Richmond Events and Education Centre on 8th of November at 2pm to discuss our strategy on how we deal with this issue going forward. Your local official will be in touch to confirm details.
 
Recruitment Freeze

Earlier this month the HSE announced a recruitment freeze of administrative staff, junior doctors, home helps and healthcare assistants. Nurses and midwives are excluded from this embargo. There is no doubt that the decision to put an embargo on recruiting more staff will add more pressure to an already squeezed health workforce, where staff are under considerable pressure.
 
Our members will not be carrying out the roles of grades that the HSE will not recruit. We will continue to engage with the HSE nationally regarding the recruitment embargo which will no doubt have a lasting impact on our health service.
 
Labour Court Recommendations on the Expert Review Group into Nursing and Midwifery

Following a lengthy process, the Labour Court has recommended that the following recommendations from the Expert Review Group into Nursing and Midwifery be implemented:

• Recommendation 44 - The Public Health Nurse salary scale to be merged with that of the current Clinical Nurse Manager 2/Clinical Midwife Manager 2 salary scale.
• Recommendation 45 - Extend the revised PHN/CNM2/CMM2 salary scale by the addition of one further scale point and the introduction of a Long Service Increment.
• Recommendation 46 - The specialist/location allowance currently available to Clinical Nurse Manager 2/Clinical Manager 2 grades to also apply to the Clinical Nurse Manager 3/Clinical Midwife Manager 3 grades.

 
This is a significant outcome for the members involved following a very lengthy process. The Unions involved have begun engaging with the employer seeking immediate implementation of the Labour Court Recommendation. The creation of a max point and Long Service Increment for the CNM/ CMM2 salary scale will require immediate engagement with the employer. We will keep members updated as things progress. 
 
Long COVID Update

Please be advised that the INMO has received confirmation from the Department of Health that the representations which we have made to request an extension to the Special Leave With Pay has been approved by the Department of Public Expenditure.  The temporary scheme was due to expire on the 31st of October 2023 and will now be extended until the 31st of March 2024.  This arrangement will apply to those currently on this Scheme only.
 
Please be advised that a full Labour Court hearing took place today, Friday the 27th of October 2023, regarding the Long COVID Claim and we will update members on the outcome
 
Donation to Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

At their meeting on October 24th, your Executive Council decided to donate a substantial amount on behalf of INMO members to the Irish Red Cross humanitarian effort in Gaza.
 
The INMO has unequivocally condemned the scenes in Israel and Palestine that have occurred in the last three weeks. 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.
 
Is mise,

Phil Ní Sheaghdha
INMO General Secretary