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Irish Examiner

Recruitment challenges in Cork and Kerry impacting delivery of health services

Rural health services in Cork and Kerry are struggling to attract nurses due to the housing crisis, with much-needed beds closed as a result. Concern is also growing at shortages of Irish-speaking healthcare staff to support older people in the southwest Gaeltacht areas. Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation industrial relations officer Liam Conway said rural patients are missing out. 'In Kerry in the likes of Cahersiveen, Dingle it's very difficult to get rental accommodation. The same would be seen in the likes of West Cork so housing is a barrier that needs to be addressed.' Staff shortages have led to 'challenges around supply of beds in older persons services' in Kenmare and Cahersiveen. That is impacting on respite care, being able to receive residential care in your community and being able to be discharged from University Hospital Kerry — people can't get transferred back to their locality for the necessary rehab. At the West Kerry Community Hospital in Dingle, 11 beds in a purpose-built module have yet to be used. He described the national recruitment policy – pay and numbers strategy - as 'an own goal'. He also called for restoration of Gaeltacht allowances — 'close to 10% on top of your salary' — removed during the 2008 recession. 'You want to attract staff to the Gaeltacht who can speak the language,' he said. South Kerry is 'particularly challenged' in finding public health nurses, he said. New Sláintecare services including teams for older people known as ICPOP are also struggling. A HSE South-West spokesperson said: 'There are well documented challenges in recruiting staff to some of our facilities in more rural locations. West Kerry Community Hospital's location on a peninsula can make recruitment even more challenging.' They ran multiple hiring campaigns but she said 'unfortunately these recruitment efforts have had limited success'. Kenmare Community Nursing Unit will open seven beds 'in the coming months', she said. New staff have recently started work with recruitment continuing. Read More Low uptake of free HRT scheme raises concern among pharmacists