I have allowed Deputy O'Keeffe a Private Notice Question on Galway Regional Hospital.
Private Notice Question. - Galway Regional Hospital.
asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of the industrial action, resulting in a picket at the Galway Regional Hospital, taking place since Tuesday, 8 June, with consequent lack of essential services for the 450 patients therein, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
At the outset I would like to congratulate Deputy O'Keeffe on his appointment as health spokesman for Fine Gael and to say that I look forward to speaking opposite him in the future.
In relation to the Private Notice Question, I am aware of the industrial action referred to by the Deputy, which I would point out is unofficial. The problem at the centre of the dispute is a matter appropriate to the CEO of the Western Health Board and I am satisfied that the CEO has abided by all the proper procedured available to him in a matter like this. I understand that a temporary injunction has been obtained this morning which has resulted in the pickets being moved from the Western Health Board institutions and I am hopeful that this will enable those staffs who had refused to pass the pickets to return to work. In the meantime nursing, medical, clerical and administrative staff at the two hospitals affected by the dispute are ensuring that essectial services are maintained and I am satisfied that no hardship is being inflicted on any of the patients in these hospitals.
I thank the Minister for his words of congratulation. I ask him if he is satisfied that the health, safety and comfort of the patients is being adequately looked after in the situation that now exists in the regional hospital.
Naturally, I would prefer if a dispute did not exist and if the particular incident had not occurred there, but I am satisfied from my inquiries that the health and safety of the patients are quite assured in the present circumstances. Needless to say, I would certainly hope that the normal procedures will be resorted to, and I understand the union would also like to see those procedures adopted so that that the services can be totally restored at the earliest possible time.
Bearing in mind the concern of the 450 patients and of their families and relatives, can the Minister give any indication as to how long he expects this dispute to continue and the prospects of the resolution of the problem in the near future?
As the Deputy is aware, this is a case in which a member of the staff is alleged to have physically assaulted his supervisor. The normal procedure has been adopted in this case whereby the member of the staff was suspended and given a written notice of his suspension and given seven days within which to answer the charges which were made. In the meantime a full investigation is proceeding under the normal procedures and my Department are keeping in very close contact with that investigation. As I mentioned in my initial reply, the temporary injunction has been granted to the Western Health Board and it is to be hoped that the staff will return to work then and allow the procedures to continue.
Finally, will the Minister undertake to use his good offices and the offices of his Department to ensure that the unfortunate dispute is resolved at the earliest possible date?
Certainly I will. I might add that the pickets have been withdrawn since the temporary injunction was obtained. I certainly will be very anxious that the matter would be resolved as early as possible and through my officials I will be keeping in constant contact with the situation.