We are seeing an extremely positive take-up of the COVID vaccines across Ireland. At the time of writing, over six million vaccines have been administered across Ireland, with more than two-thirds of our total population has received at least one dose.
This incredible programme of vaccinations has been led and administered by INMO members across the country – we can all be rightly proud of the leading role our professions have played in this work.
While the vaccine rollout continues, the INMO is working to make sure that your work is properly valued and your safety prioritised. Two key updates on this are below:
1. Compensation for COVID work
The INMO was the first union to call for tangible recognition for healthcare workers’ incredible contributions and sacrifice during the pandemic.
The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and now the Minister for Health have all accepted that something must be done on this issue. We are again encouraging members to write to their local TDs to seek their support for such compensation.
Meanwhile, we are also advancing this claim on the airwaves and through the industrial relations institutions. We negotiated with the HSE at the Workplace Relations Commission this week. They indicated that progress would be made on the compensation issue in Autumn, but we have set out our view that this is too late.
Working with other health trade unions, we have taken the decision to refer this matter to the Labour Court. I will update you on the outcome of that process.
2. Long COVID care pathways
Many members have or are suffering the effects of “long COVID” – persistent and often debilitating symptoms of COVID infection that last far longer than the virus typically would. Those who attended our Annual Delegate Conference will remember the members who spoke so powerfully about what they have faced.
The INMO has been seeking that healthcare workers facing long COVID should have specific care pathways to ensure continuous, high-quality, specialised care. I am glad to report that we are making progress on this, with HSE draft guidelines near completion.
The HSE is developing a model of care for long COVID which will include a speedy referral process from occupational health departments, with priority care in specialised services for healthcare workers. They are recruiting a lead manager for this project as we speak. Additional physios are also being recruited who will work directly with occupational health departments, exclusively on long COVID cases.
Again, I want to thank those members who have spoken out publicly about this topic, which has helped build momentum to ensure that there is real change.
3. Podcast
Finally, the latest edition of Let’s Talk About It, the mental health podcast for nurses and midwives, is online now. Episode five looks at menopause, mental health, and nursing. Host Norah Casey speaks to former nurse Kathleen Kinsella, along with the founder of the Menopause Hub, Loretta Dignam. The podcast is produced for INMO members by Cornmarket