IMO 'shocked and appalled' over HSE's decision to freeze healthcare recruitment

THE IRISH Medical Organisation (IMO) has expressed shock and deep concern over an announcement by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to implement a recruitment freeze affecting various healthcare staff, including non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs).

The IMO believes that this decision will undoubtedly have a detrimental impact on patient care across Ireland.

Dr Rachel McNamara, Chair of the IMO NCHD Committee, did not mince words when she stated: "This recruitment freeze flies in the face of safe staffing levels. It will add to the chaos in a system which already does not have enough doctors to deliver safe patient care, where many teams across the country are not fully staffed, and where NCHDs are still working illegal and unsafe hours."

The decision to impose a recruitment freeze has sent shockwaves throughout the medical community, as the healthcare system continues to grapple with staff shortages and rising patient demands. Dr McNamara pointed out the irony that even during the depths of austerity, there was no recruitment freeze on medical professionals, as the importance of maintaining service delivery was recognised.

Dr John Cannon, President of the IMO, echoed these concerns, saying: "NCHDs across all specialties are already working hours that are in excess of legal working hour legislation and are burnt out working in a system that is completely unfit for purpose. It is little wonder that so many of our doctors simply choose to emigrate to systems that recognise their worth."

The IMO's concerns are compounded by the fact that the HSE had acknowledged the need for additional NCHDs in order to meet the NCHD Agreement reached between the HSE and the IMO in December 2022. They identified a need for 800 more posts to reduce working hours in line with the agreement.

The HSE's current decision to impose a recruitment freeze is seen by the IMO as a breach of their legal obligations as an employer.

Dr Cannon emphasised that the healthcare system requires more, not fewer, doctors to meet the rising service demands. The additional NCHDs recruited this year were considered the minimum required to deliver essential services.

The IMO now seeks urgent engagement with the HSE to address this decision, which they consider not only detrimental to healthcare professionals but, more importantly, to patient care.