Ballymun Health Centre in dire need of staff, councillor says

STAFF shortages at the Ballymun Health Centre are “leaving the most vulnerable people behind,” says local councillor Noeleen Reilly.

Reilly was speaking following the confirmation from the HSE that 14 more permanent staff are being sought for the facility.

Independent TD Thomas Pringle tabled a question to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD asking about the centre’s operation.

Deputy Pringle said that “residents are waiting a long time to get through on the phone and it is providing difficult to get an appointment.”

In response, Vanessa Fitzgerald, general manager at the facility said that “I can confirm that recruitment is ongoing in Ballymun Healthcare facility.

“In the meantime, a number of vacant posts have been filled by agency staff.

“The HSE are working to fill these posts on a permanent basis.”

Fitzgerald said it that “recruitment in healthcare is extremely competitive at present.

“However, a number of interview panels for therapy staff have been formed following the interview process.

“It is envisaged that some of the current vacancies will be filled from these panels.

Physiotherapy interviews are due to commence later this month, September 2022 and it is hoped that our current Physiotherapy vacancies will be filled from this process.”

Independent councillor Reilly said that the centre is struggling to keep up with demand.

“Anyone that has tried or used the Ballymun Health Centre will tell you that it is not operating as it should,” she said.

“Residents in Ballymun are struggling to get an appointment and when they do, they can often be left waiting.

“The waiting lists for children to get Speech and Language Therapy is extremely long as well as anyone needing to see an Occupational Therapist.

“This is down to staff shortages,” she says.

“There are currently 14 permanent vacancies in the centre, and it is noticeably clear to see the pressure that staff there are put under.

“There are vacancies in key areas such as Nursing, Administration Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language, Social Work, and Dietician.

“These are all vital areas, and any shortages causes huge waiting lists.”

Reilly says that the HSE must do more to attract qualified workers to the available positions.

“The HSE stated in their response that there is huge competition out there at present in the healthcare sector,” she said.

“It is clear that a large portion of workers do not find the HSE an attractive place to work.

“This must change.

“How is a child supposed to progress if they have speech difficulty if they are waiting two or three years to get assessed.

“It’s not good enough and people in the area deserve a much better service.”