Galway Sinn Féin TDs, Louis O’Hara and Mairéad Farrell, have called on the Minister for Health and the CEO of the HSE to ensure that graduate nurses from the University of Galway receive contracts for permanent positions in University Hospital Galway.
A large number of new graduates have been informed that their contracts have not been approved by the HSE despite being offered positions two weeks ago.
This follows on from a number of midwives being informed that they will not be offered positions within UHG despite there being 23 vacant midwifery positions within UHG.
Speaking on the issue, Teachta O’Hara said sozens of newly graduated nurses from the University of Galway have been given no indication of when their contracts will be approved for positions within UHG.
“These graduates were previously told they were guaranteed positions in UHG once graduated and received offers two weeks ago, however they have now been told that there are no positions available to them.
“They have worked hard for four years to qualify and shouldn’t be left in limbo like this. It is outrageous that there would not be jobs for them especially at a time when there is huge pressure on our health service.
“Mairéad and I have raised this with the Minister for Health and the CEO of the HSE calling on them to ensure that these graduates are employed in our health service as was promised to them,” he said.
Speaking on the issue, Teachta Farrell said it is nonsensical that we have newly qualified nurses ready and willing to go into Galway University Hospital to provide essential health care to the people of Galway and are being blocked from doing so.
“We are heading into the winter months, and we need all hands on deck.
“The Minister for Health and the CEO of the HSE need to urgently intervene and allow these nurses to go to work,” she added.
