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Ambulance Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 February 2019

Tuesday, 26 February 2019

Questions (350, 351, 352, 361, 370, 371, 381)

Niall Collins

Question:

350. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a survey and a report carried out by a company (details supplied); if so, if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that 31% of respondents claimed discrimination in relation to their trade union activity; the action taken to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9360/19]

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Niall Collins

Question:

351. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 48% of respondents claimed to have experienced bullying and-or harassment in the National Ambulance Service within the previous two years of a survey (details supplied) being carried out; the action he has taken to date to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9361/19]

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Niall Collins

Question:

352. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 68% of respondents claimed to have witnessed bullying and-or harassment in the National Ambulance Service within the previous two years of a survey (details supplied) being carried out; the action he has taken to date to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9362/19]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

361. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he has read the health sector national staff survey 2016 National Ambulance Service report from January 2017 carried out by a company (details supplied); if so, if his attention has been drawn to the issues raised in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9400/19]

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Peadar Tóibín

Question:

370. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that only 4% of staff have confidence in senior management within the National Ambulance Service according to the health sector national staff survey 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9488/19]

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Peadar Tóibín

Question:

371. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to address the fact that only 5% of staff agree that communication between senior management and staff is effective in the National Ambulance Service according to the health sector national staff survey 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9489/19]

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Peadar Tóibín

Question:

381. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 31% of respondents of a 2016 survey and a report (details supplied) claimed discrimination in relation to their trade union activity; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that 48% of respondents to the report claimed to have experienced bullying and or harassment in the National Ambulance Service within the previous two years of the survey being carried out; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that 68% of respondents claimed to have witnessed bullying and or harassment in the service within the previous two years of the survey being carried out; the action he has taken to date to rectify each of these situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9506/19]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 350 to 352, inclusive, 361, 370, 371 and 381 together.

The Deputies have raised a number of issues in relation to a Health Sector National Staff Survey which was carried out in 2016. The purpose of the survey was to measure employee sentiment and engagement within the publicly funded Health Sector. I understand that within the National Ambulance Service there was a 50% response rate.

As with all surveys, it raised a number of both positive and negative results. These results have prompted the National Ambulance Service to take a range of measures to address the areas where improvements could be made.

I am clear that bullying or harassment in any workplace must not be tolerated and any such instance must be addressed in accordance with the appropriate grievance and disciplinary policies and procedures. Any employee who experiences or witnesses work place bullying or harassment should be aware that they can report these instances under the Dignity at Work Policy for the Health Service.

The NAS is also developing anti bullying work place initiatives in line with the Positive Workplace Programme and bespoke sessions for the NAS are currently in development. Staff Health & Wellbeing initiatives and programmes are ongoing in the NAS as part of Healthy Ireland including significant focus on staff health initiatives such as mental wellbeing, physical activity, health checks and improving the workplace environment.

There are a number of other ongoing programmes and initiatives being undertaken and supported by the National Ambulance Service. For example, a number of NAS managers across the country have undertaken Leadership Development Programmes including Continuous Quality Improvement courses using the Lean Sigma process.

The NAS has also established a National Staff Engagement Forum as well as local Engagement Networks. The role of the Forum is to create a space for conversations about what matters to staff in terms of engagement and to gather suggestions on how to improve it by building on existing approaches and continually looking for new ways to engage staff.

In addition, the NAS has strengthened representative bodies and increased the number of NAS staff representation in order to provide further regular and scheduled discussion around areas such as improvement in internal and upward communication, raising awareness around dignity at work issues, and health and wellbeing initiatives.

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