Taoiseach says he will not argue with Cork University Hospital over staffing

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he will not engage in “megaphone rows” with Cork University Hospital (CUH) over its staffing levels, while urging that resources be managed properly.

Martin, a Cork South Central TD, noted that “there is no doubt that staffing in CUH has gone up significantly in the last year again” and described this as a factual increase.

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill had earlier criticised CUH in the Dáil, pointing out that despite higher staffing the hospital’s trolley numbers remain high, and comparing its performance unfavourably with Dublin’s St James’ and Beaumont hospitals.

Minister Carroll MacNeill argued that some hospitals have not improved and that “the ones that consistently don’t improve, Cork, have had the highest recruitment”.

The comments followed CUH chief executive Jennifer Kearney’s warning that staffing and patient safety issues were worsening. Kearney said she had received no contact after raising concerns last summer.

Martin said he would meet Kearney, but noted no request had been made and that the health minister would be the first point of contact. He added that investment must be acknowledged and managed amid pressures from a growing and ageing population.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Amine Kübranur Çakıroğlu / Pexels.