Following a National Day of Action by frontline Health service staff to highlight the devastating effects of the recruitment freeze and health cutbacks, Kilkenny Green Party Councillor, Malcolm Noonan has called on the Minister for Health and Children to prioritise services for those most vulnerable in our communities.
The day of action was organised by the IMPACT Public Sector Trade Union, whose membership includes, professionals, therapists, social care workers, admin and managerial staff. The purpose of the action was to highlight the effects of the cutbacks and staff embargo on children with special needs, those with physical and intellectual; disabilities, mental health and services for the elderly.
‘I would urge the Minister for Health and Children to direct the Health Service Executive to ensure that there is adequate funding and staff resources to ensure that these extremely vulnerable groups are given the priority they deserve. Frontline healthcare workers are working under severe pressure to deliver essential services and patients and their families are the ones who suffer when they cannot access services in a reasonable timeframe’ stated Cllr Noonan.
Cllr Noonan met with IMPACT delegates at the demonstration at the HSE offices in Lacken, Kilkenny today (Wednesday) and was informed by delegates of the effect that a lack of occupational therapists was having on children with special needs, where specialist equipment is waiting to be fitted in Schools, but cannot be done because therapists were not available and posts in Kilkenny remain unoccupied.
‘I find it unacceptable that when our economy takes a downturn, it is the most at risk groups in our society that are affected. I have spoken to many families who are at their wits end due to lack of services and our health workers must be supported in every way to provide services at the highest level of quality and care for service users. I fully support the actions of the IMPACT Union in highlighting this crisis’ concluded Cllr Noonan.
