HSE Not Remaining True to Commitments on Non-Poaching of Nursing Home Staff
Friday September 25, 202025th September 2020: Nursing Homes Ireland has reiterated its call on Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to stop the HSE targeting staff in nursing homes for recruitment in advance of the Winter period. The poaching is continuing despite a commitment by the HSE that it would cease.
The renewed call comes after nursing homes have reported to NHI again today an increase in activity by the HSE in approaching nursing home staff.
Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO states: “We are today receiving calls from nursing homes across the country stating approaches are being made to staff encouraging them to transfer to the HSE. This is despite commitments by the HSE that this would cease. The inevitability of it is that it will impact the continuity of care within our nursing homes at a most challenging time. The increase in staffing levels announced by the HSE cannot be at the cost of nursing homes. Despite the HSE Executive commitments, NHI and our members are hugely concerned nursing homes staff will continue to be targeted. This will have huge implications for providers in achieving continuity of care and meeting the specialised care needs of residents. We cannot allow a situation to manifest whereby staff are poached from our nursing homes and wider social care services.”
“The issue must be dealt with if our health services are to move safely into a Winter period with Covid19. We will be making representations to the Minister on the HSE’s poaching activities which is very disappointing.”
Mr Daly adds: “The State is ignoring its own reports by doing this poaching. The Covid Expert Panel Report this month said there is a requirement for the State to focus on the essential role fulfilled by nursing home staff.”
Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO, is available further comment. Interviews will be facilitated by Michael McGlynn, NHI Communications & Research Executive, at 087 9082970.