HUNDREDS of workers from the National Ambulance Service (NAS) in Donegal will undergo 24 hours of strike action tomorrow (Tuesday) as part of a long-standing dispute with the HSE.
SIPTU, the trade union representing 95 per cent of NAS staff in Donegal, has said the HSE has failed to implement the findings of an independent report recommending updated salary scales to reflect changes in staff responsibilities and workload over the last 20 years.
The 300 members have begun a work-to-rule industrial action, which started today (Monday) and involves non-cooperation with new procedures or changes.
There will also be pickets at ambulance bases across the county tomorrow, including Dungloe, Carndonagh and Donegal Town, with Letterkenny expected to see the largest turnout.
The industrial action and further strike action were agreed upon by union members following a ballot last month.
SIPTU health division organiser Ciaran Sheridan spoke to the Donegal News ahead of the strike.
Mr Sheridan has more than 25 years of experience in the ambulance service in Donegal and the north west region.
SIPTU health division organiser Ciaran Sheridan.
He explained how the ambulance service has evolved over time from a patient transport service or “taxi system” into one that now provides clinical care on scene or en route to hospital by Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council registered practitioners.
“That added responsibility has never been recognised,” he said.
He spoke of the “massive changes”, including upskilling and the added responsibilities that come with administering new drugs which have drastically improved patient outcomes.
For example, EMT and Paramedic grades have increased their responsibility for administering various medications by more than 80 per cent since 2011.
The current dispute has been ongoing for the last six years following the publication of an independent review into roles and responsibilities.
The report was intended to address these ongoing changes, including updating salary scales in recognition of the increased responsibilities. To date, its recommendations have not been implemented.
Mr Sheridan said tomorrow’s strike will definitely go ahead as there has been no progress from the HSE, describing the situation as a “Mexican standoff”.
He explained that services in the county will be impacted, but said management and staff had met and contingency arrangements would be put in place to provide the cover required of an essential/emergency service.
“There will be an impact, but we are doing our best to provide emergency care to those most in need and to protect the public.”
Speaking following the announcement of the strike, Chair of the Regional Health Forum West, Councillor Gerry McMonagle, said: “I don’t think the public are aware of the extent of the skillset the average ambulance service member has now.”
Cllr McMonagle also spoke about how the service has transformed from patient transport into a provider of a much higher degree of care and treatment.
“A lot of the time their skills are negating the reason for the patient to go to hospital, so they are also helping the hospitals in relation to overcrowding,” said Cllr McMonagle.
“That has to be recognised and the HSE has to step up to the plate and recognise those skillsets the ambulance service members have and reward them.”
SIPTU is calling on the employer, and ultimately the Department of Health and Government, to intervene and implement the recommendations of the independent report without preconditions.
Mr Sheridan said he hopes common sense prevails, “because our members don’t want to be on strike, they want to be providing care in the community.”
If there is no agreement, a further 48-hour stoppage will take place on Tuesday, May 19, followed by a 72-hour stoppage beginning on Tuesday, May 26.