The HSE has not adequately recognised the role healthcare workers have played during the Covid-19 pandemic, health service unions have said.

Unions, including the INMO, the IMO, SIPTU and FORSA, have sought some sort of special recognition for healthcare staff since late 2020. Health service employers in Northern Ireland, France, Denmark and other countries have offered staff bonuses or pay increases in recognition of the work and sacrifices their workers have made over the last year.

The Government previously indicated that it would support some form of recognition of workers. Furthermore, speaking in Limerick recently, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, said that he “definitely wants to see some form of recognition” for healthcare workers.

However, talks were held at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on August 5 and HSE representatives had no offer to make.

“This is yet another disappointment in the long search for fair recognition. Last week, the Minister for Health raised expectations that some tangible recognition was on the way, but he sent his officials to talks empty handed.

“Healthcare workers have spearheaded the fight against the pandemic. They have worked far beyond their normal responsibilities, with thousands catching the virus in the line of duty,” explained Tony Fitzpatrick, chair of the National Joint Council of Health Sector Trade Unions.

He said that morale in the health service is now “extremely low”.

“There needs to be some hope of genuine reward for frontline staff. Other governments have recognised their healthcare workforce’s contribution meaningfully, yet here we are forced to fight for it,” Mr Fitzpatrick noted.

The health unions have collectively decided to refer this matter to the Labour Court.