Doctors at Tallaght hospital have warned that they will not agree to rostering changes "which could in any way compromise patient care and endanger lives". The board is looking at staff rosters and staffing levels in an effort to recoup some of its £8 million deficit in expenditure.
A spokesman for Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) at Tallaght, Dr Ronan Collins, said yesterday that the fundamental problem was the lack of any proper demographic study of the hospital's new catchment area and subsequent under-funding of vital services. Because of this new facilities were lying idle.
"The NCHDs who have worked hard to ensure a smooth transfer and opening of the hospital are disappointed at this failure to deliver a modern efficient health service to the people of Tallaght," he said. "The Deloitte & Touche report has led to an examination of the `on call' rosters within the hospital and we are only too glad to co-operate in order to maximise cost-efficiency and reduce hours."
However he rejected suggestions that NCHDs were "on an overtime `gravy train'." This was "an affront to health professionals who are obliged to work 36-hour shifts and more at half, or no pay in order to ensure proper medical cover at all times." Dr Collins warned that rostering changes which compromised patient care would be resisted.
Later SIPTU branch secretary Mr Paul Bell said that the Department of Health had sanctioned the extension of contracts for 69 non-nursing staff due to be let go last Friday. However his union was continuing its ballot for strike action in the event that redundancies at a later date.
The hospital board met yesterday to discuss the situation. However no comment was available on the claims made by SIPTU or the NCHDs.