The HSE has been described as a "monster" that is truly "not fit for purpose." That's according to Cavan's Shane P O'Reilly who is running as an Independent candidate for the Cavan-Monaghan constituency in the upcoming election. According to the Mullagh councillor, those at the top of the HSE have been "disingenuous" over the lifting of the recruitment ban.
While the recruitment embargo was lifted back in July, Cllr O'Reilly says that "positions have not been filled." As a result, healthcare professionals are "absolutely exhausted" and "morale is on the ground." Speaking to Northern Sound, Cllr O'Reilly believes that bureaucracy needs to be stripped back and more power on decision making given to local management.
"The layers of bureaucracy within the HSE need to be taken down a peg or six," said Cllr O'Reilly. "Maybe there has to be more decision making regarding budgets given to local management as local management know exactly where the money needs to go. I do believe that the HSE is a monster and at the end of the day the person who will suffer the most is the patient. Staff aren't working in a happy environment, they don't feel like they are respected for working to the full of their potential and they are just absolutely exhausted."
