Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health David Cullinane TD has said that hundreds of consultant vacancies for full-time posts are a result of two-tier new entrant pay and other workforce disputes. 

He said that this is severely hampering the ability of the HSE to deliver timely care as waiting lists spiral out of control and that a new negotiated contract is the only fix.

Teachta Cullinane said:

“It has been known for some time that consultant vacancies are almost directly linked to two tier pay for new entrants.

“To slash waiting lists, we must build a single-tier national health service for staff and patients.

“This can only succeed if new public-only consultant contracts are negotiated and address ongoing pay and work disputes.

 “Work-life balance, investment in diagnostic and treatment equipment, expanding theatre capacity, and modernising IT systems are all essential if we are to compete for the best medical talent.

 “Sinn Féin has a plan to address these issues which we will be presenting this year in our most ambitious alternative budget to date.

 “Our plan will address the medical specialties of highest need – emergency medicine, paediatric specialities for children, orthopaedics and others – by negotiating and supporting a public-only contract to fill vacant and locum posts on a full-time basis.

 “It will also include wider health service improvements and the necessary medical, nursing, and allied health and social care professional staff to open new beds.

 “We cannot lose sight of the investment needed in mental health and psychiatric services which will need significant extra capacity to address the increase in demand for services because of the pandemic.”