IMPORTANT MESSAGE RE NCHD ROTAS DURING WORK STOPPAGE

 

We are aware that management in a number of sites and services are seeking to impose rotas over and above the derogated level of service agreed between IMO and HSE.

 

We have engaged with the HSE on this issue and they have confirmed that:

 

a.the IMO position is correct and that all rotas for NCHDs on the day of the work stoppage should be the equivalent staffing as Sunday rotas. 

b.There are NO NORMAL rotas except in the derogated services.

c.There is to be ONE NCHD Rota and no NCHD should be asked about their membership of a trade union

 

Given the incorrect nature of some of the communications being issued to NCHDs from hospital management we requested a clarification issue to today from HSE to all sites.

Please see below content of the HSE memo to all sites and note they have asked all sites to confirm they are in compliance with this arrangement. You may use this memo for local discussions with management and/or refer breaches to nchds@imo.ie

 

TEXT OF HSE MEMO ISSUED TODAY 12^th OCTOBER

 

Colleagues,

 

I refer to my correspondence below issued on Friday and would ask that the following is brought to the attention of all relevant staff in HSE and section 38’s

I now wish to advise and provide clarification in relation to NCHD staffing levels in the course of the work stoppage on the 14^th. The Public Service Unions, including the IMO, have met all of the relevant requirements of the Industrial Relations Acts and therefore the action on 14^th is a legitimate work stoppage and it is the right of trade union members to engage in such industrial action.

 

There are agreed derogations reflecting minimum staffing level requirements with each of trade unions involved and I have set out hereunder details of the derogations which have been provided by the IMO having considered the request of HSE management

 

There is a single minimum staffing level on the 14^th which is not dependent on union membership and under no circumstances should union membership form part of the input into the planning rosters or rota’s for the 14th.

 

What has been agreed is as follows

 

General Derogation

 

The equivalent of Sunday Rota levels of staffing,

• Across all services for 14^th (with exception of derogated services below) there is to be a single NCHD rota which is to be equivalent to Sunday levels of staffing.  In no circumstances are there to be two rotas in place.  For clarity normal week day rotas are not in operation on 14^th nor will there be provision for additional NCHDs over and above Sunday staffing levels. 
• Line managers, when planning rotas must not seek to ascertain whether or not those on rota are union members or not – this issue has been addressed in the previous correspondence issued on 9^th October and all line managers must be aware it is inappropriate and unacceptable to seek to identify union members and all rota makers should be mindful of employees rights in this regard.

 

Specific derogations

 

Medical teams in the following services will be staffed as normal and teams will not be operating on a Sunday rota

·        Palliative/End of Life Care

·        Cancer/Haematology Care

·        Dialysis & Transplant

·        Maternity Services – Sunday level of staffing plus 1 

·        Sexual Assault Treatment Unit – continue on normal arrangements

·        Addiction Services – minimum staffing necessary to provide service

 

All sites should now confirm to HSE that all NCHD rotas for 14^th are being designed in accordance with the above.

 

In respect of all time critical medical and surgical care it is envisaged that the level of staffing being provided by the IMO will cover such services and in the event of an emergency situation additional staffing will be available.

 

Regards,

Eamonn

Eamonn Hunt 

Stiúrthóir Náisiúnta Cúnta AD ǀ Assistant National Director National Employee Relations