HSE statement on industrial action

The HSE regrets that industrial action planned by SIPTU on Thursday, June 20, will affect patient and client services.

The industrial action is planned to take place at 38 hospitals and healthcare facilities, and will involve a significant number of staff who make an essential contribution to the effective running of our health services every day.

While efforts are continuing to try to avoid industrial action, the HSE has commenced contingency planning with SIPTU at local hospital and healthcare facility level.

This is to ensure minimum disruption to patient services, in so far as possible, and to ensure patient dignity and that essential daily care remains in place.

While every effort will be made to minimise the impact on patients, industrial action involving these essential staff will have a significant impact on services.

While contingency plans will be drawn up locally between SIPTU representatives and local health service management, the HSE will co-ordinate our efforts nationally from the Emergency Management Centre at St Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.

The HSE remains committed to early resolution of the strike action given the number of staffing groups involved, and the direct impact on our patients in our acute and community services.

We will keep the public informed of any developments that may affect patient services through the national media, our social media channels and our website – www.hse.ie.

Patients will be contacted by their local hospital or healthcare facility in the event that a scheduled procedure or service will be affected by the dispute.