HSE approves just seven out of 172 CUH posts despite 'risk' warning 

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has approved only seven priority posts at Cork University Hospital (CUH) in recent weeks, despite a request to fill 172 ahead of the winter season.

In a letter sent to the HSE in August, the chief executive of CUH Jennifer Kearney called for an immediate escalation of the CUH workforce.

Ms Kearney said that the hospital is down 1,050 staff, and believes the current process is "creating a foreseeable risk to patients and staff".

She also highlighted that 348 whole time equivalent (WTE) posts were vacant, despite secured funding.

In her written request, she called for the approval of at least 172 priority posts to allow CUH to safely strengthen its workforce ahead of the winter months.

However, in response to the call for increased priority posts, the HSE has approved only seven of the 172 requested positions.

Speaking to The Echo, a spokesperson for the HSE's South West branch said CUH is "currently operating above its approved funded workforce limits".

"Recruitment of approved funded posts continues at CUH and has included the approval of four radiographers and three consultant posts in recent weeks," they added. 

"Further recruitment will progress in due course in line with the revised process."

Labour Party senator Laura Harmon said patients in Cork and Kerry deserve to know that staffing decisions are being driven by "clinical need, not workforce ceilings".

“We are being told CUH is above its approved workforce limit, but an employment ceiling is not a patient-safety assessment," said Ms Harmon.

"The question is whether CUH has enough doctors, nurses, and other essential staff to safely care for patients this winter.

“CUH’s CEO has said the current situation is not sustainable and that she does not believe it is safe to enter winter with this level of staffing uncertainty. That warning cannot be brushed aside."

Independent Ireland Cork North Central TD, Ken O'Flynn said the requested posts are "not administrative extras".

"They are consultants, radiographers, and frontline clinical staff who see patients, report scans, and cut waiting lists," said Mr O'Flynn.

"Every one of the 172 was identified by the hospital itself as a priority.

"A hospital under this kind of pressure being cleared for only seven of 172 priority posts is not workforce planning, it is a recruitment freeze, dressed up as control."