Health Minister told there is a ‘disconnect’ between management and workers that can affect delivery of services
The report by the TASC “think tank” for the trade union Fórsa, that included responses from employees of the HSE, Tusla and voluntary health organisations, found that understaffing and a “disconnect” between management and workers are contributing to the problem. It surveyed almost 3,800 staff.
A total of 68pc of workers surveyed described staff morale as either low (43pc) or terrible (25pc).
Fórsa represents over 35,000 health and welfare workers including health and social care professionals, clerical, administrative, management and technical staff.
A total of 48pc said the situation had worsened over the last two years, while over half said low morale is negatively affecting the quality of care.
The research shows high levels of dissatisfaction with opportunities for career development among 63pc of those who responded.
A significant number of staff said they continued to work despite feeling unwell, while 68pc of respondents reported feeling unwell due to work-related stress over the previous two years.
The research identifies a lack of recognition and underappreciation of staff and increasingly negative public perceptions of health and care systems as factors in a decline in morale.
The results were presented to delegates at a Fórsa health and welfare divisional conference in Letterkenny this morning.
Linda Kelly, Fórsa national secretary, said the research confirms what members have been talking about over the last couple years with increasing frequency.
She said it should be “a very loud alarm” for health service CEOs and the Health Minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.
“Without health-care staff, we do not have a health service,” she said.
“Focus must now turn to working with staff to improve the morale situation.”
Nearly three-quarters of staff surveyed said they often think about quitting their jobs. Photo: Getty
She said staff shortages in a wide range of health service areas have taken a heavy toll on morale.
Ms Kelly said the most concerning aspect of the research is the extent to which staff are considering leaving their jobs to work elsewhere.
“The staffing pressures appear to be having a negative impact on how health-care workers feel about staying in employment,” she said.
“Diminishing morale among existing staff is leading to burnout, and we can see this especially among those with longer service and experience. A very high proportion of respondents, 76pc, said they often think about leaving their current role.”
She said there is a significant loss of skills and an increase in workload when experienced staff retire or leave employment.
This further diminishes morale, and the cycle then continues, she said. She said the situation is not sustainable.
Proposing a motion in response to the research, Donegal member Angela McGinley said there are two people absent from her department on stress-related sick leave.
“These colleagues are not being replaced, and this has a knock-on effect of the rest of us. It creates additional work, people are hastily grabbing a bit of lunch at their desk while trying to maintain a service that responds to our patients,” she said.
She said low morale compromises service delivery.
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