Denis Naughten TD has described as “disappointing” that 15 months after the start of this pandemic frontline workers who have been running our hospital and community services have yet to receive any recognition from Government.
Deputy Naughten raised the need for such recognition during Leaders Questions with An Taoiseach in the Dáil today. see https://youtu.be/5ibTvrkzijs
He pointed out that “over the last 15 frontline healthcare workers have manged 3 waves of the Covid virus and a cyber attack. These people are now mentally and physically exhausted. We must provide staff with time off because exhausted healthcare staff are a recipe for mistakes”.
Last July the Taoiseach promised me that he would look at the possibility of providing frontline staff with additional leave and last December the Scottish Government pledged to pay every NHS and social care worker a £500 Covid bonus.
“While all frontline workers, within our health services or other services including essential retail should receive some acknowledgement of the trojan work that they put in throughout pandemic by their employers”
“In particular I also believe the time is now right for Government to recognise the work of all frontline health workers. Many of our doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, cleaners, porters etc placed themselves at risk to go to work every day to keep us safe and to care for those who were seriously ill.
“These healthcare workers have worked long hours in extremely difficult circumstances across three waves of this pandemic, dealt with the challenges as a result of the cyber attack and we must now stop and recognise the work they have done on behalf of us all. These people have been selfless, and our country owes them a huge debt of gratitude.”
“As a result, it is disappointing that even though the Taoiseach gave me a commitment to examine such a proposal that I presented to him last July to offer additional paid leave to frontline healthcare workers, nothing has happened”.
“I would again plead with Government to take up my proposal or alternatively follow the example set by the Scottish Government and provide these frontline staff with an acknowledgement that recognises their sacrifices during this pandemic” concluded Denis Naughten.
Editor’s note:
Previous call be Denis Naughten: https://denisnaughten.ie/2020/12/01/frontline-workers-must-get-additional-leave-naughten/
Nicola Sturgeon promises £500 for all NHS staff in Scotland