Staffing issues identified in HIQA report into Cork facility; patients complimentary of care received

Issues with staffing, training and absenteeism were recorded in a recent HIQA inspection report into Bantry General Hospital.

Overall, the hospital was marked compliant in two areas, substantially compliant in six and partially compliant in three.

Patients were very complimentary about the staff and the care they received in the hospital, and this feedback was consistent with what inspectors observed throughout the inspection.

However, inspectors noted an over reliance on agency and specific-purpose contract arrangements at consultant level to cover permanent approved posts.

The hospital was funded for 151.70 WTE (whole time equivalent) nursing posts, inclusive of management and other grades, of which 146.43 WTE were filled, meaning there was a vacancy rate of 3.5%. Inspectors noted that a risk was identified on the risk register in relation to the recruitment and retention of nursing staff.

The pharmacy department had an approved staffing complement of 1.5 WTE pharmacist posts, comprising one WTE pharmacist executive manager and 0.5 WTE basic grade pharmacist, in addition to one WTE pharmaceutical technician post.

All posts were filled at the time of inspection. However, inspectors were informed by staff that the 1.5 WTE resource provided pharmacy cover not only for BGH but also across four additional service locations, including mental health and community services. This distribution of resources was reported to impact the capacity of the hospital pharmacy service.

While training compliance with national clinical handover guidance was recorded as 100% for nursing staff, compliance with mandatory children first training was 82% and compliance with sepsis training was 80%.

The hospital’s absenteeism rate in July 2025 was 8.94%, representing an increase from 8.23% in July 2024. The current rate remains above the HSE’s target absenteeism rate of less than 4%.

Staff who spoke with inspectors were aware of, and had access to, occupational health services and the employee assistance programme. Inspectors were informed that back-to-work interviews were being conducted by the hospital duty officer.

The HSE told HIQA after the inspection that a targeted recruitment plan is underway to fill approved permanent consultant posts, and that improving compliance with essential and mandatory training is a priority for the team.

They said: “We acknowledge the need to align our absenteeism rate with the HSE target of 4%. The hospital is reviewing current absenteeism management processes, including early intervention, return-to-work supports, and strengthened adherence to the HSE Managing Attendance Policy.”