New health body seeking no funding for lay-offs

The Interim Health Service Executive, which is preparing to take over the running of the health services from January, has said it has not sought Government approval or funding for a voluntary redundancy programme.

There has been strong speculation in recent weeks that the introduction of the Government's healthcare reforms next year would see a reduction in staff - particularly at middle to senior management level.

However, at a briefing for senior health board staff on Wednesday, the executive said no voluntary scheme was under consideration.

The Government has already given a commitment that there will be no compulsory lay-offs following the abolition of the State's health boards at the beginning of January.

The chairman of the executive, Mr Kevin Kelly, is to embark on a nationwide tour next week to meet staff and discuss reforms.

With only weeks to go before the abolition of the health boards, there is growing unease among healthcare staff over jobs, pay and working conditions.

The trade union IMPACT, which represents 25,000 healthcare workers, has already commenced a ballot for industrial action.

IMPACT national secretary Mr Kevin Callanan told The Irish Times yesterday the indications were the union would receive a strong mandate for industrial action.

Mr Callanan said many staff were still unclear about what their duties would be under the new regime, as well as who they would report to and where their posts would be located.

The IMPACT ballot result is due towards the end of the month.

The executive told staff on Wednesday that the State's hospitals would, in future, consist of 10 networks.

The networks, which will largely be geographically based, would seek to foster greater integration between the various centres.

In the south-east, Waterford Regional, St Luke's in Kilkenny, Wexford General and Clonmel and Cashel hospitals will be linked together.

In the south, Cork University, the Erinville, St Mary's Orthopaedic, Mallow General as well as Tralee, Bantry and the South Infirmary and the Mercy will form another network.

Dublin will be split into three groups with the northside hospitals of the Mater, Beaumont, Blanchardstown, the Rotunda, Cappagh and Temple Street in one network.

On the south side, St James's, Tallaght, Naas, the Coombe and Crumlin in another network.

St Vincent's, St Columcille's as well as Hume Street, St Luke's and the Eye and Ear will form another network.